The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have revealed new details of the dhow intercepted carrying 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine worth approximately Ksh8.2 billion, 630 kilometres east of the Mombasa coast on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

In an official statement on Sunday, October 26, 2025, KDF explained the non-registered dhow, codenamed IGOR, had been under the watch of international drug enforcement agencies.

KDF added that the vessel had repeatedly evaded prior crackdowns until its interception by the Kenya Navy.

Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, who led the multi-agency operation, confirmed that the Navy conducted the mission under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) Programme. The operation, codenamed BAHARI SAFI 2025.01, deployed the Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) SHUPAVU to intercept the vessel.

“The Kenya Navy successfully intercepted a vessel of interest codenamed IGOR, suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking,” Brigadier Kiswaa said.

The operation was conducted in close collaboration with the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles, the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, and the Seychelles government, which provided aerial surveillance through Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

Following the interception, the Navy escorted the dhow to the Port of Mombasa. It was handed over to a multi-agency team led by the National Police Service (NPS), including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other law enforcement agencies, for detailed inspection and forensic testing. Court warrants were obtained to allow further investigation.

Six arrested, drugs seized

Police confirmed the arrest of six foreign nationals aboard the dhow. Officers discovered 769 packages of crystalline methamphetamine, carefully hidden within the vessel’s compartments. The haul represents one of the largest narcotics seizures in Kenya’s history.

In a statement on Saturday night, the NPS praised the professionalism and coordination among the agencies involved.

The DCI has launched investigations to determine the origin and intended destination of the drugs. The seized methamphetamine has a combined street value of Ksh8.2 billion.

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a potent and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Long-term use can lead to psychosis, heart failure, and irreversible brain damage.