Sh3.6 billion drug cache bound for East and Southern Africa seized in Kwale

Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, announced on Monday that a 454 kilogram cache of suspected methamphetamine, valued at approximately Sh3.6 billion, was seized in Kwale County. The drugs were destined for various countries in East and Southern Africa. Preliminary investigations indicate that the source of the drugs is Pakistan. The recovery was made possible through an intelligence-led operation by a Multi-agency team led by detectives of the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau.

The operation, which involved collaboration between Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities, resulted in the arrest of three suspects. Basleman Saleh Khamis, a suspected drug baron wanted in both Kenya and Tanzania, and a 37-year-old Ugandan woman, Nakabugo Zuraicah, were arrested on November 7 in Shirazi village. Further investigations led detectives to Ganja la Simba village in Kinondo, where they recovered the drugs and arrested a third suspect, Hamad Seif Said, a 54-year-old Tanzanian.

The seized drugs were part of a larger effort to combat narcotics in the region. Amin stated that the government has declared the fight against narcotics and illicit alcohol a national security priority. The National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, formerly the Anti-Narcotics Unit, has taken significant steps to enhance its operations, including the recruitment of 208 officers in April and the opening of 40 additional stations.

The bureau has also trained 314 officers to bolster its capacity to tackle narcotics-related crimes. Between January and October this year, NANIB recovered substantial quantities of various narcotics, including 21,005.54 kilograms of cannabis, 10.23 kilograms of cocaine, 7.74 kilograms of heroin, 7.67 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 4.8 kilograms of amphetamine. These recoveries have a combined value of approximately Sh779.7 million.

Amin emphasized that the confiscation of the Sh3.6 billion drug cache does not correlate with the 1,036 kilograms of methamphetamine seized from the vessel, MV Mashaallah. The Mashaallah consignment, valued at Sh8.2 billion, originated from Iran and was destroyed at Bamburi Cement Factory in Mombasa on September 24. Amin cited differences in labelling, packaging, and nationalities involved as evidence of distinct operations.

The government, through the Asset Recovery Agency, is working to trace the assets of financiers and organisers of narcotics trafficking. Amin urged the public to share information with law enforcement agencies, reaffirming the government's commitment to combating narcotics trafficking. "Kenya is not a transit route. Kenya is not a market. And Kenya will not be a haven for drug traffickers," he stated.

The police have a festive season operation plan in place and are preparing for the August 2027 General Election. Senior commanders received training on election preparedness manuals at the National Police Leadership Academy on October 22 and 23. This training will be cascaded to station level to ensure adequate preparedness for the elections.

Key points

• The seized drugs were valued at approximately Sh3.6 billion and destined for East and Southern African countries.
• The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of two white Ford vehicles and a red TVS motorcycle.
• The government has declared the fight against narcotics and illicit alcohol a national security priority.