The suspects were arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts on Monday, January 12, where they formally pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges linked to one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Kenya’s history.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the six men are connected to the interception of more than one tonne of methamphetamine that was seized off the Kenyan coast in October 2025.
The recovered drugs weighed 1,036.044 kilograms and were concealed aboard a vessel operating in the Indian Ocean.
Following their plea, the court ordered that the accused persons be held at Shimo La Tewa General Kenda Prison as they await the next stage of the proceedings.
Following their plea, the court ordered that the accused persons be held at Shimo La Tewa General Kenda Prison as they await the next stage of the proceedings.
The reading of facts has been scheduled for January 30, 2026, after which the court will consider sentencing.
The charges were brought after investigators concluded a Miscellaneous Application that had previously been filed to seek custodial orders, allowing authorities more time to complete investigations and prepare the case.
Court officials noted that once the facts of the case are read out, the prosecution will detail how the drug trafficking operation was carried out, the role of each suspect, and the circumstances under which the drugs were intercepted.
The six Iranian nationals were arrested during a coordinated maritime security operation conducted by Kenyan authorities in international waters.
The charges were brought after investigators concluded a Miscellaneous Application that had previously been filed to seek custodial orders, allowing authorities more time to complete investigations and prepare the case.
Court officials noted that once the facts of the case are read out, the prosecution will detail how the drug trafficking operation was carried out, the role of each suspect, and the circumstances under which the drugs were intercepted.
The six Iranian nationals were arrested during a coordinated maritime security operation conducted by Kenyan authorities in international waters.
Acting on intelligence, security agencies intercepted a stateless dhow approximately 630 kilometres east of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel was subsequently escorted to the Port of Mombasa, where officers conducted a detailed search and discovered large sacks containing synthetic methamphetamine hidden onboard. The haul was later confirmed to weigh more than 1,024 kilograms.
The operation, code-named Bahari Safi, involved multiple security agencies, including the Kenya Navy, the Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Investigators revealed that the dhow had been under international surveillance for suspected involvement in transnational drug trafficking activities.
The vessel was subsequently escorted to the Port of Mombasa, where officers conducted a detailed search and discovered large sacks containing synthetic methamphetamine hidden onboard. The haul was later confirmed to weigh more than 1,024 kilograms.
The operation, code-named Bahari Safi, involved multiple security agencies, including the Kenya Navy, the Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Investigators revealed that the dhow had been under international surveillance for suspected involvement in transnational drug trafficking activities.
Kenyan authorities acted on shared intelligence, leading to the successful interception of the vessel before the drugs could reach their intended destination.
Officials believe the consignment was part of a wider international narcotics network operating across maritime routes in the Indian Ocean, with Kenya being targeted as either a transit or distribution point.
The case has renewed focus on Kenya’s role in regional and international efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly along the coastline, which has in the past been exploited by criminal syndicates using maritime routes to smuggle illicit substances.
Authorities have maintained that the successful interception underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing in disrupting organised crime networks.
The matter will return to court on January 30, 2026, when the prosecution will formally present the facts before sentencing is considered.
Officials believe the consignment was part of a wider international narcotics network operating across maritime routes in the Indian Ocean, with Kenya being targeted as either a transit or distribution point.
The case has renewed focus on Kenya’s role in regional and international efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly along the coastline, which has in the past been exploited by criminal syndicates using maritime routes to smuggle illicit substances.
Authorities have maintained that the successful interception underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing in disrupting organised crime networks.
The matter will return to court on January 30, 2026, when the prosecution will formally present the facts before sentencing is considered.
Given the scale and value of the drugs involved, the case is expected to attract significant legal and public attention.
Kenyan law provides for stiff penalties in drug trafficking cases, including lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines, depending on the quantity and value of the narcotics involved.
Kenyan law provides for stiff penalties in drug trafficking cases, including lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines, depending on the quantity and value of the narcotics involved.
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