MOMBASA, Kenya — A major breakthrough in the fight against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking has been recorded after a multi-agency Kenyan operation intercepted 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine worth an estimated Sh8.2 billion aboard a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel, MV Igor, which had long been on the radar of international law enforcement agencies for suspected narcotics smuggling, was found carrying six Iranian crew members when it was intercepted approximately 630 kilometers east of Mombasa on October 23, 2025.\
The bust was part of Operation Bahari Safi, a coordinated effort led by the Kenya Navy with support from the Kenya Coast Guard Service, NACADA, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, who led the operation, described it as one of the most successful maritime security operations in recent years.
“We have been able to find a huge consignment of narcotics weighing about 1,024 kilograms, valued at approximately Sh8.2 billion,” said Brig. Kiswaa. “This is a very big success that came about through cooperation with regional partners who provided valuable intelligence on the vessel’s movements.”
The stateless ship was escorted to the Port of Mombasa, where multi-agency teams conducted a detailed inspection and forensic search that confirmed the presence of the illicit cargo.
According to DCI Director Mohamed Amin, investigators discovered 769 packages of a crystalline substance that preliminary tests confirmed to be methamphetamine, a powerful synthetic stimulant often produced in illegal labs.
“The presumptive sampling indicated the substance was 98 per cent pure, almost 100 per cent,” Amin said. “That was a huge success in our fight against transnational organized crime and narcotic drugs in the region.”
Amin added that the suspects have been processed and are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday as investigations continue.
Authorities say the interception highlights Kenya’s strengthened maritime surveillance and intelligence-sharing with regional and international partners. The Indian Ocean corridor has long been identified as a major route for heroin and methamphetamine shipments from Asia and the Middle East into Africa and Europe.
“This operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and safeguard national and maritime security,” Amin emphasized.
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “meth,” is a potent synthetic stimulant that appears in powder, tablet, or crystalline form. It induces intense euphoria and heightened alertness, but is also highly addictive and destructive to health. Its production and trafficking have become a global concern, particularly in East Africa where coastal routes are increasingly exploited by drug cartels.
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