By The News Booth Desk Email, info.newsbooth@gmail.com
Six Iranian nationals have pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking a substantial consignment of methamphetamine, weighing 1,036 kilograms and valued at KSh 8.2 billion. The accused, identified as Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch, and Imtiyaz Daryay, made their admission before Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi. The court was informed that the illicit activity took place between October 17 and 20, 2025, on the high seas at Latitude 04° 46.79’S and Longitude 045° 27.42’E, approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Port of Mombasa.
Details of the drug trafficking case
The methamphetamine was reportedly concealed aboard a stateless vessel named Mashaallah. This vessel, lacking any national registration, was intercepted by authorities, leading to the arrest of the six individuals on October 25, 2025. They were taken into custody without a warrant and subsequently brought before the court on January 12, 2026. The charges against them fall under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994, which was amended in 2022 to enhance penalties for drug trafficking offenses.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution, led by senior assistant director of public prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi, alongside principal prosecution counsel Alex Ndiema and Susan Lewa, requested a two-week period to organize and present the facts of the case. They proposed that the facts be read on January 30 at the Kenya Navy base in Mtongwe, where the vessel and the narcotics are currently held. This request was made due to the bulky nature of the exhibits involved.
Court proceedings and defense arguments
The accused contested the stated weight of the drugs, arguing that the consignment weighed 800 kilograms rather than the 1,036.044 kilograms indicated in the charge sheet. Prosecutors clarified that the accused were confusing the number of packages with the actual weight, noting that the drugs were seized in 769 intact packages and had been accurately weighed by police officers. In response, the court assured the accused that the consignment would be weighed again to verify the quantity before any sentencing is determined.
Implications for drug trafficking in Kenya
Pending the reading of the facts, the court ordered that the accused be remanded at Shimo La Tewa Prison. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyan authorities in combating drug trafficking, particularly in the maritime domain, where vast expanses of ocean provide opportunities for illicit activities. The outcome of this case is keenly awaited, as it underscores the government's commitment to enforcing stringent measures against drug trafficking.
