Kenyan authorities have made a significant breakthrough in a high-profile drug bust, recovering a GPS tracker that could unravel a transnational trafficking network.
According to official records released on Friday, November 14, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit discovered seven electronic devices on an unmarked vessel, including the GPS tracker. Investigators believe these devices could help determine the origin of the shipment, trace trafficking routes, and identify financiers behind the operation.
The suspects, six Iranians, are believed to be linked to a sophisticated international cartel that uses maritime routes to smuggle synthetic drugs into the region. The case was presented in court, where the prosecution highlighted the operation’s multi-agency and cross-border nature.
The arrests followed the interception of the vessel on Saturday, October 26, approximately 630 kilometers off the coast of Mombasa. A joint team comprising the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Kenyan Navy, Coast Guard, and NACADA acted after regional and international alerts raised concerns over a suspicious vessel in the Western Indian Ocean.
Onboard, detectives recovered 769 packages of illicit drugs, believed to be methamphetamine, with an estimated value of Ksh8 billion. During court proceedings on November 14, prosecutors successfully secured a further 21-day detention for the Iranians, extending their custody to a total of 51 days to allow investigators to pursue critical leads.
INTERPOL played a crucial role in the operation, overseeing search operations and ensuring proper crime scene management. Intelligence shared by the Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell (Bahrain) and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (Seychelles) was vital. Representatives from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) also assisted in communication with the crew and search operations.
Following the arrest, the seized substances were sent to the Government Chemist for testing to confirm their composition and purity. Authorities continue to pursue the investigation, leveraging digital evidence and international cooperation to dismantle the cartel.
