Six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking narcotic drugs valued at Ksh8.2 billion have pleaded guilty before a Kenyan court, marking a significant development in the country’s fight against transnational drug trafficking.
The suspects Jasem Darzaen Nia, Nadeem Jadgai, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi were arrested on October 25, 2025, after being intercepted in the Indian Ocean while transporting 1,036 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In a statement released on Monday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the six admitted to trafficking the illicit drugs before Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi at the Shanzu Law Courts.
According to the ODPP, the accused were charged under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994, as amended in 2022. The prosecution noted that the amendments have significantly strengthened Kenya’s legal framework, particularly in addressing large-scale and organized drug trafficking operations.
Prosecutors informed the court that the methamphetamine was concealed aboard a stateless vessel identified as Mashaallah. Authorities believe the use of stateless vessels is a common tactic employed by transnational criminal networks to evade detection, enforcement, and jurisdiction on the high seas.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has sought a two-week adjournment to organize and present detailed facts of the case. The prosecution requested that the hearing be conducted on January 30, 2026, at the Kenya Navy base in Mtongwe, where the seized vessel and the bulky drug exhibits are currently being held.
Pending the hearing, the court ordered that the accused be remanded at Shimo La Tewa Prison.
The case underscores Kenya’s heightened vigilance against international drug trafficking syndicates operating in the Indian Ocean and highlights growing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in combating narcotics-related crimes.
