Six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking narcotic drugs worth an estimated Sh8.2 billion have reversed their earlier guilty pleas and entered not guilty pleas, prompting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reaffirm its commitment to pursue the high-stakes case to its conclusion.
The accused, Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch, and Imtiyaz Daryay, appeared before Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi, requesting that the charges be read afresh, claiming they had not fully understood them when they initially pleaded guilty a fortnight ago.
Upon re-reading, all six pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.
The DPP has charged the suspects under Section 4(a)(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, as amended in 2022.
Prosecutors allege that the six were jointly involved in trafficking 1,036.044 kilograms of methamphetamine aboard an unregistered and stateless vessel named Mashaallah.
According to court documents, the offence occurred between October 17th and 20th, 2025, on the high seas at Latitude 04° 46.79'S and Longitude 045° 27.42'E, approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Port of Mombasa.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi, alongside Assistant Director Wanga Tito and Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Ndiema and Susan Lewa, strongly opposed the release of the accused on bond.
They argued that the suspects, being foreign nationals with no known local residence or reliable contacts, posed a high risk of absconding if granted bail.
The court agreed, denying bond and ordering that the accused be remanded at Shimo La Tewa Prison pending the hearing and determination of the case. The court also directed that pro bono legal counsel be appointed at state expense to ensure a fair trial.
The matter is scheduled for a pre-trial mention on February 19, 2026, as authorities continue to pursue justice in what is one of the largest methamphetamine trafficking cases in recent years.
