Kenyan authorities have intercepted a massive narcotics consignment valued at approximately Ksh8 billion in a high-stakes multi-agency operation off the Indian Ocean, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
According to Murkomen, the 1,024-kilogram haul was seized aboard a stateless vessel, MV Ighol, roughly 630 kilometres east of Mombasa, following coordinated intelligence between national security agencies. “We wish to inform the general public and our international partners that we have seized a major narcotics consignment weighing a total of 1,024 kilograms, estimated to have a street value of approximately KSh 8 billion,” read part of the statement.
Six Iranian nationals aboard the ship were arrested and are currently being interrogated. “They remain in lawful custody and will be arraigned in court once preliminary investigations are concluded,” Murkomen confirmed.
Preliminary forensic analysis identified the substance as methamphetamine with 98 percent purity, now undergoing further laboratory verification and documentation.
The Cabinet Secretary praised the joint operation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with support from the Kenya Navy, Coast Guard Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Government Chemist.
“This decisive intervention forms part of Kenya’s ongoing contribution to global efforts to dismantle transnational organised crime networks involved in narcotics trafficking, terrorism financing, and illicit financial flows,” Murkomen stated.
The bust is one of the largest maritime drug seizures in Kenya’s history, marking a major step in the country’s intensified war on narcotics.
Murkomen further emphasized Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation in tracing and dismantling the wider syndicate behind the shipment. “We will work with our partners to trace and disrupt the broader criminal network associated with this seizure,” he added.
He assured that the government is strengthening maritime surveillance and cross-agency coordination to prevent similar incidents in future. “We are progressively heightening our multi-agency coordination framework and vigilance of maritime systems. The government remains committed to reinforced border security and global partnerships to combat the movement and financing of illicit substances.”
