Six Iranian nationals have pleaded guilty in a major high-seas narcotics trafficking case involving more than a tonne of methamphetamine valued at Sh8.2 billion, in what prosecutors say is a significant boost to Kenya’s campaign against international drug syndicates.
The accused, Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch and Imtiyaz Daryay, were admitted to trafficking 1,036 kilograms of methamphetamine before Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi at the Shanzu Law Courts.
The guilty pleas were entered after the Director of Public Prosecutions presented the charges following months of investigations.
Court records show the offence was committed between October 17 and October 20, 2025, on the high seas approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Port of Mombasa.
The prosecution told the court that the narcotics were being transported aboard a stateless vessel, a method frequently used by transnational criminal networks to avoid maritime enforcement and prosecution.
The drugs were concealed on a vessel identified as Mashaallah, which had no registration or flag.
Prosecutors said the lack of nationality was intended to frustrate law enforcement agencies operating under international maritime law.
“The vessel was deliberately operated as stateless to evade detection and jurisdiction,” the prosecution stated.
The six suspects were arrested on October 25, 2025, during a maritime operation and were subsequently arraigned in court on January 12, 2026.
The DPP said the delay was necessitated by the complexity of the investigations, which involved coordination among multiple security and maritime agencies.
Charges were preferred under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994, as amended in 2022.
Prosecutors noted that the recent amendments have enhanced penalties and strengthened Kenya’s ability to deal decisively with large-scale drug trafficking, particularly cases originating beyond territorial waters.
Following the guilty pleas, the prosecution applied for two weeks to organise and formally present the facts of the case.
The DPP’s team requested that the proceedings be conducted on January 30, 2026, at the Kenya Navy base in Mtongwe, citing the need to access the seized vessel and manage the bulky drug exhibits currently held at the facility.
The court was also asked to remand the accused at Shimo La Tewa Prison pending the next hearing.
