Kenya’s navy seized a massive methamphetamine consignment worth $63 million off the coast of Mombasa on Saturday. The interception occurred some 630 kilometres from Mombasa in the Indian Ocean, with authorities escorting the vessel to port under armed guard.
Six Iranian nationals were arrested in connection with the shipment, which authorities described as a major narcotics trafficking operation. Preliminary forensic tests confirmed the substance was crystal methamphetamine, according to Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Amin Mohammed Ibrahim.
The haul weighed over one ton, marking a record seizure in Kenya’s ongoing fight against drugs and organised crime. Kenya faces a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline, where meth and heroin addiction affect hundreds of young people.
Authorities called the operation a significant breakthrough, highlighting the navy’s role in combating transnational drug smuggling networks. Last year, a far smaller consignment of just 1.15 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized at Nairobi’s main airport.
Officials warned that trafficking networks are increasingly sophisticated, emphasising the need for vigilance along maritime and border checkpoints. The record interception sends a stark message to drug syndicates exploiting Kenya’s strategic coastal waters for illegal shipments.