Probe as JKIA police intercept Methamphetamine valued at Sh20 million destined for Seychelles
Detectives are investigating the
source of 2.5 kilos of Methamphetamine narcotics valued at Sh20 million that
was intercepted and seized at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport destined
for Seychelles.
The drugs were intercepted at a cargo
station at the airport shed after it had been sent by an unknown sender on Friday, police said
The team said they were acting on
intelligence and managed to intercept a shipment concealed in three African
mosaic bags headed for Mahe in Seychelles from Nairobi.
Police said each of the bags was found
to conceal two packages of clear crystal substance that was wrapped in a black
polythene paper bag.
Tests confirmed they were narcotics.
No arrests were made then. The team
said they are pursuing the persons who had dispatched the same.
There are concerns that there could be more
of the narcotics in the country, and couriers are trying to send them to the
markets outside.
JKIA officials said they have put in
place measures to address such incidents where the gateway is used as a drug trafficking
point.
The seizure comes weeks after
officials intercepted similar drugs at the Indian Ocean valued at Sh8.2
billion.
Officials are still
investigating the seizure amid revelations this came after monitoring of the
movement of the consignment for more than six months.
The operation came after intelligence was shared between the Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell (RNIFC) in Bahrain, and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles.
INTERPOL coordinated operational support from the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), which deployed two officials to help with search operations and communication with crew members.
The Shanzu Magistrate’s Court okayed an
application by the prosecutors to detain six Iranian nationals arrested at the
Kilindini Port in connection with the trafficking of narcotic drugs for 30
days.
Chief Magistrate Antony Muchigi allowed the
prosecution’s request and ordered that the suspects remain in custody at the
Port Police Station pending further directions.
The court also authorised investigators to forward the seized substances to the Government Chemist for analysis to confirm their composition and to submit the suspects’ mobile phones for forensic examination at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
In his submissions, the investigating officer stated that the suspects were apprehended on October 24, 2025, aboard a dark vessel intercepted by the Kenya Navy at the Kilindini Port.
A total of 769 packages containing crystalline substances suspected to be synthetic narcotic drugs were recovered, weighing 1,035.986 kilograms.
Further, the investigating officer noted that the suspects are being investigated for trafficking in narcotic drugs, contrary to Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994. Prosecution emphasised the seriousness of the offence and the need for thorough investigations to safeguard national security and ensure accountability in transnational organised crime.
