State Rests Case Against Six Iranians in Sh8.2bn Methamphetamine Trafficking Trial

The state has wrapped up its side of one of Kenya's most consequential drug prosecutions, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) formally closing its case against six Iranian nationals at Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court. The accused stand charged with trafficking more than a tonne of methamphetamine valued at approximately Sh8.2 billion through Kenyan waters. Prosecutors called 12 witnesses before resting their case.

Investigating officer Inspector Shadrack Kemei walked the court through a detailed account of how the operation first came to light. On October 19, 2025, the Kenya Navy received credible intelligence pointing to a suspicious vessel active in the Indian Ocean. Acting on that tip, naval officers moved swiftly and intercepted the ship the very next day. The vessel, named Mashaallah, was found sailing without an Automatic Identification System — a mandatory navigational tracking device — raising immediate concern among the officers who boarded it.

Armed with search warrants, security personnel carried out an initial sweep of the Mashaallah and discovered two packets of methamphetamine. That was only the beginning. After the vessel was brought to the Kenya Navy's Mtongwe Jetty in Mombasa for a more thorough examination, investigators uncovered 769 additional packets concealed across six separate compartments within the ship. When combined, the total seizure weighed 1,036.044 kilograms — with authorities placing the estimated street value at KSh8,288,352,000, a staggering figure that lays bare the scale of the alleged smuggling operation.

The six men standing trial have been identified as Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, who served as captain of the Mashaallah, and five crew members: Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch, and Imtiyaz Daryay. All six face charges of narcotic trafficking allegedly carried out between October 17 and 20, 2025, in waters approximately 350 nautical miles east of Mombasa.

With the prosecution having presented its full case, Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi directed both sides to compile and file written arguments. Each party has 14 days to submit their representations, after which the court is scheduled to mention the matter on July 13, 2026, to map out the next steps in the proceedings.

The trial has drawn considerable public interest, not only because of the sheer volume of drugs involved but also because of what it signals about Kenya's vulnerability as a transit point for narcotics moving through East African waters. The eventual ruling is expected to carry significant weight in the country's broader campaign against maritime drug trafficking along the coast.