By Andrew Kariuki
Six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking narcotic drugs worth over Sh8 billion have been arraigned before the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa.
The accused; Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh and Imtiyaz Daryayi were arrested on October 24, 2025, following a joint security operation at the Kilindini Port.
According to court documents, the suspects were allegedly found aboard a foreign vessel carrying 769 packages of crystalline substances suspected to be synthetic narcotics, weighing more than one tonne.
The seizure followed intelligence shared by the Kenya Navy about a “dark vessel” operating in the Indian Ocean without identification signals.
Prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) informed the court that investigators require additional time to conclude the probe and verify the suspects’ identities.
The prosecution also requested that an independent interpreter be appointed to ensure fairness during the proceedings.
The state is seeking to detain the six suspects for 30 days to allow completion of investigations.
Senior Principal Magistrate at Shanzu Law Courts ordered that the suspects be held at the Port Police Station until October 28, when the court will issue further directions.
The arrests mark one of the largest drug seizures in recent years, with authorities linking the operation to an international trafficking network spanning the Indian Ocean route.
