Written by Were Kelly
A 19-year-old boda boda rider has been charged with trafficking over thirty kilograms of cannabis in a Mombasa court, as authorities intensify their campaign against narcotics in the coastal region. Muhammad Hassan appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo on Tuesday, where he faced a single count of trafficking in narcotic drugs following his arrest during a special anti-narcotics operation in Likoni. The prosecution alleges that the cannabis found in his possession had an estimated street value of KSh 907,670.
The court heard that the accused was apprehended on November 6, 2025, in connection with drugs stored at a residence in the Half London area of Timbwani, Likoni Sub-County. Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo, leading the case for the state, presented the facts before the court. According to the prosecution, the operation led to the discovery and seizure of 30,255 grams of cannabis, a quantity that signifies a substantial interception by the security forces. The charge brought against Hassan falls under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, a piece of legislation that was amended in 2022 to introduce stricter penalties for drug-related offences.
Before the court, Muhammad Hassan entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of drug trafficking. Following his plea, the defence and prosecution made submissions regarding the terms of his release pending trial. After considering the arguments, Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo ruled that the accused could be released on bail. The court set the bond at Ksh 1 million, with an alternative of a cash bail of Ksh 500,000. Furthermore, the magistrate required the accused to provide a surety of a similar amount, Ksh 1 million, a condition intended to ensure his attendance at future court hearings. The case has been scheduled for its next mention on November 27, 2025, to allow for pre-trial conferences and the completion of necessary disclosures between the opposing sides.
This prosecution is presented as part of a broader initiative by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to combat the trade of illegal substances in Mombasa County and its environs. The coastal region has long been identified as a key transit point for narcotics, and significant seizures such as this one are frequently highlighted by authorities as evidence of a successful crackdown. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as an indicator of the judiciary’s handling of major drug trafficking accusations under the amended laws. The forthcoming pre-trial session will determine the trajectory of the proceedings as the state prepares to present its evidence against the young rider.
