A nationwide week-long multi-agency operation targeting organized criminal networks has dealt a major blow to syndicates dealing in narcotics, counterfeit goods, and wildlife contraband, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced on Friday.
The operation, codenamed Usalama XI, was spearheaded by the DCI’s National Central Bureau (NCB–Nairobi) and the Operations Directorate in collaboration with officers from the National Police Service and other state enforcement agencies.
It forms part of a wider regional initiative under the Eastern and Southern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organizations (EAPCCO and SARPCCO) aimed at combating transnational crimes such as human and drug trafficking, terrorism, motor vehicle theft, mineral smuggling, illicit arms trade, and copper cable theft.
According to the DCI, the crackdown led to significant seizures and several high-profile arrests across the country.
In Lang’ata, Nairobi, detectives from the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit (TOCU) and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) raided a residence at Royal Park Estate on October 8, 2025, where they discovered counterfeit US currency amounting to $31,700 (Ksh. 4 million).
The suspect, Nanji Nabil Taj, 32, was arrested at the scene and placed in custody for further interrogation.
At the Coast, a team intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck ferrying narcotics from Mombasa to Nairobi. A search revealed nine and a half sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 568.85 kilograms, estimated to be worth Ksh. 17 million.
The driver, Shem Horace Obonyo, 38, was arrested as both the vehicle and the drugs were seized.
In Eldoret, detectives dismantled a digital piracy operation run by Kelvin Kiplang’at, who was linked to the illegal sale and installation of pirated WAKA Internet Streaming and IPTV services.
Officers recovered two mobile phones, 135 advertising flyers, and a WAKA TV pirate control panel, which was used to service 64 unauthorized subscribers, all of whom were subsequently disconnected.
Meanwhile, in the Shalom area along Mombasa Road, two suspects were arrested on October 6, 2025, after being found in possession of five elephant tusks valued at approximately Ksh. 7.8 million.
The pair was handed over to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters for processing before being booked at Lang’ata Police Station pending arraignment.
The DCI said the success of Usalama XI underscores the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence sharing and joint enforcement in tackling transnational organized crime across the region.
Authorities have vowed to sustain the momentum in pursuit of individuals and groups engaged in illicit trade networks threatening national and regional security.
Source: Citizen Digital
Written By Rodney Mbua
