In a dramatic turn of events off Kenya’s coast, authorities have made one of the largest drug busts in East African history, intercepting a vessel carrying more than a ton of methamphetamine valued at over Ksh8.2 billion (roughly $63 million). The operation, conducted by the Kenya Navy and Kenya Coast Guard, unfolded on Saturday, October 25, 2025, some 630 kilometers east of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, which had been under surveillance by regional and international partners, was escorted to the Port of Mombasa under heavy armed guard, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s ongoing battle against narcotics trafficking.
According to reports from K24 Digital and AP, the interception was the result of a coordinated, multi-agency effort involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and maritime security forces. The operation began after Kenyan security agencies received intelligence from their partners about a suspicious, stateless vessel making repeated rounds in the western Indian Ocean. Acting swiftly, the Kenya Navy tracked and intercepted the boat, which was later confirmed to be carrying a substantial quantity of narcotics.
Deputy Navy Commander Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, speaking to the press after the vessel’s arrival at port, described the operation as seamless and praised the collaborative efforts that led to the successful interception. “Kenya Navy was able to intercept this suspicious vessel about 630 kilometers east of Mombasa, and we have been able to conduct this operation successfully. We were able to arrest it and escort it here to the Port of Mombasa,” Kiswaa said, as quoted by K24 Digital.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered 769 packages hidden aboard the vessel, containing a crystalline substance that preliminary forensic tests later confirmed to be methamphetamine. The total weight of the seized narcotics was approximately 1,024 kilograms, making it the largest methamphetamine haul ever recorded in Kenya. DCI Director Amin Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the scale of the bust, stating, “We were able to discover 769 packages containing a crystalline substance that weighed approximately 1,024 kilograms of what came out to be methamphetamine.” He further noted the street value of the consignment was estimated at Ksh8.2 billion, equivalent to about $63 million.
The six individuals arrested during the operation were identified as Iranian nationals. They are currently in custody and are expected to appear in court on Monday, October 27, 2025, as investigations continue. The stateless nature of the intercepted vessel and the foreign nationality of its crew have raised questions about the broader network behind the trafficking operation. Authorities are now working to unravel the origin and intended destination of the drugs, with DCI announcing, “Investigations are underway to determine the source and intended destination of 769 packages containing a crystalline substance, identified as methamphetamine. The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of Ksh8.2 billion.”
The significance of this seizure cannot be overstated. As AP reports, Kenya is grappling with a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline where methamphetamine and heroin addiction have taken a heavy toll on young people. The interception of such a large consignment is being hailed as a breakthrough in the country’s fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction. Security officers and anti-narcotics officials have described the bust as a major blow to international drug syndicates that have increasingly targeted East Africa as a transit hub for illicit substances.
This latest operation comes on the heels of another significant drug-related arrest just two weeks prior, when four suspects linked to an international syndicate were detained at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine. The suspects in that case were arraigned and remanded until October 29, highlighting the ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to stem the tide of narcotics entering and moving through the country.
Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa emphasized the importance of cooperation and intelligence sharing in tackling the complex issue of drug trafficking. The interception was made possible by actionable intelligence from regional and international partners, underscoring the global nature of the fight against narcotics. “It is too early for me to say the destination was point A or B, it is still under investigations. But certainly, it was destined somewhere in this region. And in terms of the source, like I said, the vessel was stateless, but on board were six Iranian nationals,” DCI Director Amin explained, as reported by Gamalpha.
After the seizure, police obtained court orders to detain the vessel and conduct a thorough search to verify the contents of the sacks found on board. The drugs have since been secured as evidence, and authorities have launched a wide-ranging investigation to identify other individuals and networks connected to the trafficking operation. The DCI has made it clear that this is only the beginning, as they intensify efforts to track down more suspects and dismantle the syndicate responsible for the shipment.
The interception also highlights the evolving tactics of drug traffickers, who are increasingly using maritime routes and stateless vessels to evade detection. Kenya’s strategic location along the Indian Ocean makes it vulnerable to such operations, but the country’s security agencies have demonstrated their capability and resolve to confront the challenge head-on. According to AP, last year saw a much smaller consignment of just over a kilogram of methamphetamine seized at the country’s main airport, illustrating the dramatic escalation in the scale of attempts to traffic synthetic drugs through Kenya.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will likely expand beyond the six Iranian nationals already in custody. Authorities are probing the possibility of a larger, transnational network with connections across the region and possibly beyond. The bust has sent a strong message to drug traffickers that Kenya is no longer an easy target, and that law enforcement agencies are prepared to act decisively to protect the country’s borders and communities.
The ramifications of this operation are likely to be felt for some time, both within Kenya and across the broader East African region. With the methamphetamine crisis showing no signs of abating, the need for continued vigilance, international cooperation, and robust law enforcement remains clear. For now, Kenyan authorities are celebrating a hard-fought victory in the war against drugs, one that could mark a turning point in the country’s struggle with narcotics trafficking and addiction.
As the seized vessel sits docked in Mombasa and investigators sift through the evidence, many are left wondering what other secrets the Indian Ocean might still hold—and whether this breakthrough will signal the start of a new chapter in Kenya’s fight against illicit drugs.
