Six Iranians face Kenyan court over $63 million meth seizure

Six Iranian nationals have been brought before a Kenyan court following a major drug interdiction operation that netted over one ton of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $63 million. The suspects appeared at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa after their arrest in a multi-agency operation targeting narcotics trafficking in the Indian Ocean.

Arrest and Seizure Details

According to Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the suspects were identified as Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi. Their arrest occurred at Kilindini Port following Kenya Navy intelligence operations focused on a suspicious "dark vessel" operating in coastal waters. Authorities confiscated 769 packages containing crystal methamphetamine with a total weight of 1,035.986 kilograms.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Prosecutors informed the court that investigations are ongoing to determine both the source and intended destination of the substantial narcotics shipment. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions requested additional time to verify court interpreter credentials and appoint an independent interpreter to ensure procedural fairness. Prosecutors indicated they would seek a 30-day detention extension for the six suspects to allow investigators to complete their inquiry into the international drug trafficking operation.

Judicial Ruling and Regional Context

The magistrate ordered the six Iranian nationals remanded in custody at Port Police Station pending further orders scheduled for Tuesday. The case highlights Kenya's ongoing challenges with international drug trafficking networks using East African coastal routes for narcotics distribution. The substantial seizure represents one of the largest methamphetamine interdictions in East Africa this year, underscoring the region's strategic importance for global drug trafficking operations.