Kenyan authorities have seized a stateless dhow IGOR carrying over 1,024kg of methamphetamine, valued at over KSh 8 billion ($63 million). The operation took place off the coast of Mombasa on Saturday.
The Kenyan Navy intercepted the vessel about 630 kilometers from Mombasa in the Indian Ocean. It had evaded multiple international crackdowns before being intercepted.
The operation was codenamed Bahari Safi 2025.01,under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) Programme.
The ship was escorted safely to port under armed guard.
It led to the arrest of six Iranian nationals who are now in custody.
The ship had
The operation was a multinational effort involving the Kenya Navy, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles, Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, Seychelles Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), Kenya National Police Service (NPS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Authorities are investigating how the drugs entered Kenyan waters and who is behind the shipment.
Officials say the haul is one of the largest drug seizures in Kenya in recent years. They also warned that the fight against illegal narcotics remains a top priority for the country.
By Vivian K.