Kenyan detectives recover 454kg of suspected meth worth KSh 3.6bn in Kwale

Detectives recovered 454kg of suspected methamphetamine, valued at KSh 3.6 billion, at premises in Kwale County, and three suspects were arrested on 7 November 2026, the Star and Kenyans.co.ke reported on 9 November.

The drugs were recovered at premises in Ganja la Simba, Kinondo, and in Shirazi village, Msambweni Sub-County. Officers also seized two Ford Rangers, a TVS motorcycle and eight electronic devices, including mobile phones and a satellite phone.

Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo allowed police to hold the three suspects for 15 days. The prosecution, represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Barbara Sombo, had asked for 21 days. The suspects are aged 45, 37 and 45.

In an affidavit, investigating officer PC Justus Kirwa said the three were arrested during a multi-agency operation. He told the court they were suspected of belonging to an organised criminal network operating across Kenya and Tanzania. Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Mombasa are handling the case.

A suspect arrested in Tanzania on 6 November over alleged methamphetamine trafficking was handed over to Kenyan authorities at the Lunga-Lunga border. The prosecution told the court the suspect allegedly led officers to the premises in Ganja la Simba and Shirazi.

The substance has not yet been weighed, sampled or analysed by the Government Analyst. Forensic examination of the seized devices and verification of seized passports and identity documents are also pending. The offence under investigation is trafficking in narcotic drugs under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control (Amendment) Act, 2022.

Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin said at a media briefing on 9 November that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is going after traffickers' money as well. "We are equally pursuing the financial networks behind the drug trade," he said, as quoted by Kenyans.co.ke.

Amin said the DCI's National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) is working with the Assets Recovery Agency to trace cash, vehicles, houses, land and businesses linked to traffickers.

The case will be mentioned on 24 November 2026.