Kenya Destroys Sh8.2 Billion Methamphetamine Haul in Mombasa

Kenyan authorities have destroyed a massive consignment of methamphetamine estimated to be worth Sh8.2 billion in Mombasa.

The drugs were destroyed at the Bamburi Cement factory under tight security. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen oversaw the exercise.

The shipment weighed more than one tonne and was seized in the Indian Ocean during a joint operation involving the Kenya Navy and other security agencies.

The seizure has drawn attention to the growing fight against international drug trafficking along Kenya’s coastline.

How Kenya Seized the Sh8.2 Billion Drug Haul

The drugs were intercepted in October 2025 after Kenyan authorities stopped a vessel suspected of carrying illegal narcotics.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Kenya Navy seized 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine from an unregistered vessel.

The vessel was intercepted about 630 kilometres off the Kenyan coast.

Laboratory tests later showed that the methamphetamine had a reported 98 per cent purity level.

Several security agencies and maritime partners took part in the operation. Their efforts helped track the suspected shipment before it could reach the Kenyan coastline.

Six Iranian Nationals Face Drug Trafficking Charges

Six Iranian nationals are facing charges over the shipment.

The accused are Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch and Imtiyaz Daryay.

They are accused of trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine valued at approximately Sh8.2 billion.

The case is being heard at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa.

Prosecutors have already presented 12 witnesses. The court has also ruled that the six accused persons have a case to answer.

However, the six remain accused persons until the court makes a final determination.

Why Was the Methamphetamine Destroyed?

The destruction of the drugs followed a court process.

Authorities raised concerns about storing such a large quantity of dangerous narcotics. Keeping the drugs in storage could create security and safety risks.

The court therefore allowed the bulk of the seized drugs to be destroyed.

However, samples have been kept as evidence for the ongoing court case.

The destruction does not mean the criminal case is over. Proceedings against the six accused persons will continue at the Shanzu Law Courts.

Kenya Steps Up the Fight Against Drug Trafficking

The seizure has once again highlighted the challenge of drug trafficking through the Indian Ocean.

Kenya’s coastline is an important route for regional and international trade. At the same time, authorities have to deal with criminal networks that may attempt to use the sea to transport illegal drugs.

The Kenya Navy and other security agencies have been working with regional and international partners to monitor suspicious vessels and disrupt narcotics trafficking.

In the 2025 operation, the seized vessel was eventually taken to Mombasa as investigations continued.

A Major Drug Bust in Kenya

The sheer size of the shipment has made the case one of the major drug seizures reported in Kenya in recent years.

Authorities recovered more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, with laboratory tests reportedly showing a purity level of 98 per cent.

The destruction of the drugs at Bamburi is another important stage in the case. Meanwhile, the six accused persons continue to face proceedings at the Shanzu Law Courts.

The case also highlights the ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to disrupt large-scale drug trafficking and narcotics smuggling along the Indian Ocean.