Soldiers Detained in Ksh 192 Million Meth Case

A Mombasa court has detained seven soldiers for 10 days. The move will allow DCI officers to conduct urgent forensic tests on recovered meth and electronic devices.

Court Grants Investigators More Time

Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo approved the request on December 11. She noted that investigators required more time to analyse technical evidence and trace communication links.

Joint Operation Leads to Arrests

Authorities arrested the soldiers in a joint operation involving DCI detectives from Nairobi and Mombasa. Officers accused the suspects of trafficking 25 kilograms of crystal meth.

Additional Evidence Recovered

During searches, detectives found more narcotics and seized 11 mobile phones. They said releasing the suspects could compromise investigations linked to a wider drug network.

Risks Highlighted in Court

Investigators warned that the suspects could tamper with digital evidence. They also said the soldiers might interfere with witnesses or flee due to the drugs’ high value.

Kenya Faces Rising Meth Trafficking

This case comes amid growing meth trafficking along Kenya’s coastline. Criminal networks have increasingly used the Indian Ocean route for drug movement.

Major Maritime Meth Bust Reported

In October 2025, the Kenya Navy intercepted a vessel 630 kilometres off Mombasa. Officers found more than one tonne of 98% pure meth worth over KSh8 billion.

International Suspects Arrested

Six Iranian nationals were arrested during that operation. The mission involved INTERPOL, the Coast Guard Service, the DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit, and the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Local Meth Production Also Rising

Kenya has also recorded increased local meth production. In 2024, authorities dismantled a clandestine lab in Namanga linked to foreign cartels.

Case Scheduled for Mention

The court will mention the matter on December 22. Investigations will continue during the suspects’ detention.