DCI extradites Afghan national to US after arrest in Nairobi
By Emmanuel Rono, July 11, 2026The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has extradited an Afghan national to the United States to face charges linked to a narcotics importation conspiracy and firearms offences.
According to the DCI statement on Saturday, July 11, 2026, the person of interest was extradited on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The operation was carried out by the DCI’s Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judiciary, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and INTERPOL.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through its Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), has successfully extradited Afghan national to face charges in the United States relating to an alleged narcotics importation conspiracy and related firearms offences,” DCI stated.
According to the extradition request, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a warrant for his arrest on March 25, 2025, over allegations of narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
How he was arrested
An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued to facilitate his arrest and surrender to US authorities.
“The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a warrant of arrest against Qadeer on March 25, 2025, in connection with charges of narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices,” DCI stated.
Acting on the Red Notice and the US arrest warrant, detectives arrested him in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after his arrival from Kabul, Afghanistan.
“On Thursday, July 9, 2026, ANU detectives collected Qadeer from Industrial Area Prison and escorted him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” DCI noted.
DCI commitment
The DCI said the extradition demonstrated continued cooperation between Kenyan and US law enforcement agencies in the fight against transnational organised crime.
“This extradition underscores the enduring partnership between Kenyan and United States law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime,” the DCI said.
The agency added that the operation reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the rule of law, international legal obligations and due process in handling individuals wanted for serious criminal offences.