In one of the most daring maritime operations in recent years, the Kenya Navy and Coast Guard intercepted a stateless vessel 60 nautical miles off the coast of Mombasa carrying 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine, an illicit cargo with a street value of Sh8.2 billion.
The vessel, which bore no flag or registration markings, has left investigators with more questions than answers about the global drug network attempting to use Kenya as a gateway into Africa.
The vessel, later identified as dhow codenamed ‘IGOR’, was first spotted drifting suspiciously in international waters before entering Kenya’s maritime surveillance zone.
The stateless dhow which had been under the watch of international drug enforcement agencies, had repeatedly evaded prior crackdowns until its interception by the Kenya Navy.
“The Kenya Navy successfully intercepted a vessel of interest codenamed IGOR suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking,” the Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, who is the multi agency team leader said.
Acting on intelligence shared between the Kenya Navy, Coast Guard Service, and international partners, authorities moved swiftly to intercept the dark vessel engaged in drug trafficking.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles, Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and the Republic of Seychelles who provided maritime surveillance through Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Onboard were six Iranian nationals: Jasem Darzadeh, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Bakshi, and Imtiaz Daryayi.
Preliminary tests confirmed the presence of high-purity crystal meth concealed within compartments ingeniously built into the ship’s hull.
DCI Director Amin Mohamed confirmed that the suspects are in custody as detectives work to unravel the origins and intended destination of the narcotics.
“We have reason to believe that this was not an isolated operation but part of a wider international syndicate using the Indian Ocean route to traffic drugs into East Africa,” Amin said.
“Our teams are working with Interpol and other regional agencies to trace the financiers, planners, and logistical handlers behind this stateless vessel.”
The arrest unfolded during what began as a routine patrol in the high seas, approximately 630 kilometres off the coast of Mombasa.
After intercepting dhow in the Western Indian ocean, the vessel was escorted to Mombasa port where officers conducted a meticulous search, uncovering 769 packages of methamphetamine ingeniously hidden within various compartments.
DCI boss said that laboratory analysis confirmed the substance weighed 1,024 kilograms, making it one of the largest meth busts in Kenya’s history.
The seized drugs are now securely stored as exhibits.
Sources within the Anti-Narcotics Unit disclosed that the vessel’s crew had been following coded maritime routes, relying on advanced satellite phones and encrypted communication devices to evade detection.
The stateless nature of vessel lacking any flag or registration, suggests deliberate concealment of ownership, a common tactic used by international cartels to circumvent maritime laws.
Investigators are combing through recovered digital evidence to map the wider criminal network and identify those who financed and orchestrated the shipment.
Maritime security officers have long warned that the Western Indian Ocean has become a hub for drug trafficking, connecting producers in Asia with markets in Africa and Europe.
Kenya’s strategic coastline, with its busy ports and extensive unpatrolled waters, presents both opportunity and risk.
“This operation demonstrates our enhanced surveillance capacity,” said a senior officer with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing probe.
“But it also shows the scale of the threat we face. A stateless vessel means there’s no country of registration to hold accountable, complicating both legal and investigative processes.”
As the DCI continues piecing together the puzzle, the six Iranian suspects are undergoing intense interrogation.
Officials believe they may be couriers rather than masterminds, mere pawns in a billion-shilling global enterprise spanning multiple continents.
Amin emphasized that Kenyan authorities are also following crucial financial trails that could expose the syndicate’s financiers and collaborators within the region
“This seizure is a clear message,” Amin stated.
“Kenya will not be used as a conduit for international drug trafficking. We will pursue every lead until those behind this vessel are brought to justice.”
For now, the mysterious stateless ship namely sits anchored under heavy guard at the Kenya Navy base in Mombasa, a silent testament to the invisible battles being fought across the high seas in Kenya’s war against narcotics.
