Shanzu Court Extends Detention of Six Iranians as Probe into Ksh.8.2B Drug Cartel Deepens
According to prosecutors, the extension is necessary to help dismantle what authorities describe as a highly organised drug trafficking network that uses maritime routes to move synthetic drugs across borders
A Shanzu court has granted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) permission to hold six Iranian nationals accused of drug trafficking for an additional 21 days, allowing investigators more time to pursue critical leads in a major transnational narcotics case
The suspects —Jasem Darzaen Nia, Nadeem Jadgai, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi were arrested on October 27, 2025, after being intercepted in the Indian Ocean while allegedly ferrying methamphetamine worth Ksh.8.2 billion
According to prosecutors, the extension is necessary to help dismantle what authorities describe as a highly organised drug trafficking network that uses maritime routes to move synthetic drugs across borders
Investigators from the Anti-Narcotics Unit reportedly seized 769 packages of crystalline substances suspected to be synthetic narcotics, weighing 1,035.986 kilograms, along with seven electronic devices, including a GPS tracker. The gadgets are believed to contain vital intelligence regarding the shipment’s financiers, routes, and origin
The prosecution argued that releasing the suspects prematurely would compromise an ongoing multiagency and internationally coordinated operation involving sensitive digital evidence and complex cross-border links
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The court previously ordered that the seized substances be analyzed by the Government Chemist and that the suspects’ mobile phones undergo forensic examination at the DCI headquarters
The six are being investigated under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 1994
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
