A Mombasa court ordered the detention of seven soldiers for 10 days to allow investigators to complete forensic analysis in a Sh192 million methamphetamine trafficking case.
Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo granted the order following an application by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU).
The soldiers were arrested on December 11, 2025 in a joint operation involving detectives from the DCI Headquarters and Mombasa Regional Headquarters.
The suspects—Duke Nyamwaya, Juma Mwinyifaki, Michael Kariuki, Elijah Mbogo Gacog’u, James Ekiru, Abdulrehman Salad, and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno—are alleged to have trafficked 25 kilograms of methamphetamine, packed in whitish crystalline packets.
According to investigating officer Police Constable Isaac Njoroge, searches of the suspects’ homes and workplaces led to the recovery of additional narcotics and 11 mobile phones, including Redmi, Tecno, Itel, Samsung Galaxy, Vivo, and Oppo models.
Magistrate Ollimo further authorized forensic analysis of all recovered electronics, which are expected to reveal communication patterns and links to a wider trafficking network.
The prosecution told the court that the seized drugs are yet to be weighed, sampled, and analyzed, as immediate analysis was impossible at the time of arrest.
Investigators argued that releasing the suspects could lead to witness interference, destruction of digital evidence, or coordination with accomplices still at large.
The prosecution team, led by Yassir Mohammed and Brenda Oganda, urged the court to consider the matter’s public interest and the need for a thorough probe.
The court agreed that the high value of the drugs, the technical nature of the forensic processes, and the possibility of flight risk justified extended detention.
The case will be mentioned on December 22 , 2025 for further direction.
KDF had on December 4 refuted claims that some of its personnel stole a portion of narcotics seized during a major multi-agency maritime security operation conducted on October 25, 2025.
Security teams intercepted a dhow off the Kenyan coast carrying 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.
The narcotics were offloaded and transported ashore under the supervision of a joint security unit.
Reports later emerged alleging that certain KDF officers involved in the operation may have stolen and concealed part of the seized drugs for personal gain.
KDF, however, moved to dispel the rumours, asserting that the full 1,024 kilograms remain intact and are currently under round-the-clock protection by a dedicated multi-agency team.
“The entire consignment offloaded ashore remains secure,” the statement read, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the veracity of the allegations.
KDF confirmed that several personnel suspected of involvement in the alleged theft are under active investigation by the appropriate authorities.
The military emphasized its commitment to accountability and transparency, noting that if any wrongdoing is proven, “appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with the law.”
The seizure marked one of the largest maritime narcotics interceptions in recent years and highlights ongoing regional efforts to combat transnational organised crime along the East African coastline.
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