Leaders seek answers as six Iranians to be arraigned over the Sh8.2 billion meth haul

The six Iranians busted with drugs and who will be arraigned today / BRIAN OTIENO

The six Iranian seamen arrested with Sh8.2 billion in methamphetamines off Mombasa are expected to be arraigned today.

The haul of 1.024 tonnes of meth is the largest ever in Kenya. The shipment was intercepted by the Kenya Navy last Thursday 630 kilometres off Mombasa, far beyond territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles from the coast.

The previous largest drugs haul was in December 2004 when one tonne of cocaine worth Sh6 billion at the time was seized in Malindi, Kilifi county.

The vessel carrying the shipment is stateless, meaning it has no flag. This lack of identification makes it difficult to determine where the drugs originated and their destination.

“The Iranians cannot speak English and we don’t know whether it is by design or default, thus making it difficult for us to communicate,” an officer familiar with the ongoing investigations told the Star.

Kenya is facing a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline, where thousands of young people are struggling with meth and heroin addiction.

Mombasa leaders say the haul indicates Kenya could be in for a rough ride in the near future.

“I commend our military officers for the interception. But my worry is, why did it take that long to announce such a kind of drug bust? They said they nabbed the vessel on October 23 but only announced it on October 25. Why?” Nyali MP Mohammed Ali asked.

He said Kenya is becoming a haven for drugs trafficking and an important transit hub for drug barons.

“You remember the other day we saw the driver of a prominent person in Kenya helping a drug trafficker pass through JKIA, only for the trafficker to be arrested in London’s Heathrow Airport?

“What happened to that driver of the prominent person in government? If the government was serious about fighting drugs, we should have been told by now that the driver was arrested and prosecuted,” Ali said.

“How many other drugs could have already passed into our Kenya? If it were not for the sharp eyes of the military, we would be seeing zombies all over,” he said.

The Nyali MP warned that Kenya could lose many youths to drugs if nothing is done to stop smuggling and transit.

He expressed fear that the drugs trade in Kenya could be facilitated by people in government.

“The brazen nature of the haul and the calm nature of those arrested tells you these people were under protection of some kind. You cannot tell me one can gamble with such a huge load if they do not know a thing or two about the security arrangement in Kenya,” Ali said.

On Saturday, the Kenyan Navy commander who led the drugs interception in Operation Bahari Safi said the military is committed to ensuring maritime safety. The statement was made by Deputy Commander Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa.

The multi-agency team had been tracking the drugs vessel for four days prior to seizure after getting intelligence from international partners. The team is comprised of the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada).

Security expert Abdikadir Dekow said meth is an addictive stimulant drug that lets people stay awake and do continuous activity with less need for sleep.

Dekow, who is a former senior Interpol officer, said meth comes in pills powders or chunky crystals called ice.

“Ice is especial popular with the young adults and for those who go to dance clubs and parties,” Dekow said.

Meth is usually swallowed, inhaled, smoked or injected directly into the vein, creating intense euphoria and heightened senses.

“People who abuse meth feel high and energetic and do not reason,” he told the Star.

He praised Kenyan security officers for intercepting the haul, saying if it had reached the Kenyan market, it would have destroyed thousands of youth.

“If it found its way into Kenya, we would have been seeing zombies all over,” he said.

He said those using meth think the drug will allow their bodies to keep going and going.

“Meth is very damaging to the body and brain, especially with repeated use,” Dekow said. 

The security expert meth’s side effects include rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, profuse sweating, headaches, blurred vision, dry mouth, hot flashes and dizziness.

“Because the drug often decreases or even eliminates appetite, it has been used as a dangerous dieting strategy for people trying to lose weight quickly,” Dekow said.

He said the interception demonstrates that Kenyan authorities are highly alert in protecting residents from aggression and illicit trade.

“Our children are safer with these kinds of officers guarding us,” he said.

On Saturday, Brigadier Kisua said the Kenya Navy had initiated Operation Bahari Safi six days ago, after getting intelligence on the suspicious vessel. Then it was tracked on radar for four days.

"This came about with the cooperation of regional partners able to provide very valuable information on movement of this suspicious vessel," he said.

The vessel had been on the radar of the international community, being suspected of carrying out illicit activities, particularly moving narcotics within the Western Indian Ocean.

Instant analysis:

Kenya is used as a transit haven for drugs and other illicit substances. It is time Kenya strictly safeguarded its borders. Kenya’s largest drugs bust demonstrates that drugs are easily trafficked ddrugs a country where drugs are easily trafficked.