On 21 October 2025, the Kenyan Navy intercepted a flagless dhow 340 nautical miles east of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean, a major corridor for maritime drug trafficking. Intelligence from Bahrain’s RNIFC and Seychelles’ RCOC guided the operation. Three days later, the vessel reached Mombasa, where a multi-agency centre, chaired by the Deputy Commander of the Kenyan Navy with INTERPOL advising, prepared systematic searches and evidence handling to support future judicial proceedings.
Interception details and haul
Authorities uncovered 769 packets of crystal substance weighing 1,024 kg. Government Chemist forensics confirmed methamphetamine at 98% purity, an estimated value above KES 8 billion (USD 63 million).
INTERPOL coordinated support from the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, whose two officials assisted with search procedures and crew communication. Six crew members were arrested and now face drug-trafficking charges under Kenyan law.
Regional security implications
The case underscores how timely intelligence-sharing and coordinated command strengthen maritime security across East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean. With Kenya’s Anti-Narcotics Unit leading ongoing investigations, partners aim to map supply chains, prosecute facilitators, and deter future attempts to exploit blue-water routes for high-value synthetic drugs. The operation stands as a template for scalable, rules-based counter-narcotics at sea.
