Narcotics worth Sh8 billion, seized in a major maritime operation off the Kenyan coast, will be publicly destroyed, says Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIC Kisumu Arina Local Church, Murkomen further said the six suspects arrested in connection with the seizure will soon be arraigned in court.
“We have resolved as a nation that we must fight drugs, illicit alcohol, and all kinds of things that are destroying the lives of our people,” Murkomen said.
The CS in a statement confirming the incident, said authorities are progressively heightening the multi-agency security coordination framework and vigilance of Kenya's maritime surveillance systems.
“We also remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, enhance maritime and border security, and reinforce partnerships with regional and global allies to combat the production, movement, and financing of illicit substances,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen stated that the six Iranian nationals aboard the stateless vessel remain in lawful custody, are currently under interrogation and will be arraigned in court once preliminary investigations are concluded
“Initial tests confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine with 98 percent purity, and it is presently undergoing further forensic analysis and documentation,” said the CS.
He added that the State will work in collaboration with other international partners to trace and disrupt the wider criminal network associated with the seizure.
The operation comprised teams from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), and Nacada.
