Written by Were Kelly
Kenya’s Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, has announced that a major international investigation is ongoing following last month’s record seizure of 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, hinting firmly that more arrests are expected.
The drugs, with an estimated street value of Sh8.2 billion, were intercepted in the Indian Ocean in an operation that underscores the Port of Mombasa’s vulnerability to international narcotics syndicates. Amin delivered the update on Saturday, November 8, during the inauguration of a new DCI office in Malindi, crediting the success to a robust multi-agency collaboration.
The operation, which took place in October, led to the recovery of 769 packets of a crystal substance weighing a total of 1,024 kilograms. Forensic analysis conducted by the Government Chemist confirmed the substance was 98% pure methamphetamine. Six suspects, comprising four Iranian nationals and two Kenyans, were apprehended following the bust and have since been remanded in custody for an additional 30 days as detectives deepen their investigations. The National Police Service launched the operation after a tip-off led the Kenya Navy to intercept a vessel suspected of ferrying the narcotics.
Director Amin emphasised the profound societal damage that was averted by the seizure. “Uchunguzi is still going on and that was a very big breakthrough because you can imagine how those drugs would have entered the country through Mombasa’s gateways,” he told attendees. He praised the coordinated efforts of the Kenya Defence Forces and international police partners, framing the bust as a critical blow against the networks exploiting Kenyan routes for global drug trafficking. The operation is considered one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in the country’s recent history.
While the breakthrough is significant, the DCI chief made it clear that the investigative web is still spreading. He revealed that authorities have not yet established a clear connection between the currently detained suspects and established local drug distribution networks, but he suggested this could change as the probe evolves. “So far we have not established any correlation between those arrested and in other local networks but as you are aware investigation is dynamic and it can lead us anywhere,” Amin stated, leaving little doubt that the case remains a top priority for his unit.
The bust and subsequent warnings form part of a broader security strategy to secure the coastal region ahead of the festive season. The DCI’s actions align with a continued crackdown on narcotics, following other high-profile cases such as the 25-year sentencing of drug trafficker Joyce Akinyi Ochieng for heroin distribution. With the new Malindi office set to bolster local investigative capacity, Amin issued a stern warning to criminals, signalling that security agencies will be unrelenting in their efforts to protect coastal communities from the scourge of drugs.
