Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS)  Kipchumba Murkomen has outlined the next steps following the seizure of narcotics worth Ksh8.2 billion.

In a statement on Sunday, October 26, Murkomen informed the general public and international partners that we have seized a major narcotics consignment weighing a total of 1,024 kilograms, estimated to have a street value of approximately Ksh8 billion.

Murkomen said the incident followed a multi-agency operation that led to the interception of a stateless vessel, identified as MV Ighol, approximately 630 kilometres east of Mombasa after receiving actionable intelligence.

“During the operation, six Iranian nationals aboard the vessel were arrested and remain in lawful custody. They 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,” Murkmen said.

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Murkomen on Fighting Crime Works

He stated that the decisive intervention was led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with support from the Kenya Navy, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, the Government Chemist, and other partner agencies.

The CS said the interception forms part of Kenya’s contribution to global efforts to dismantle transnational organised crime networks, including narcotics trafficking, terrorism financing, and illicit financial flows.

“We will work in collaboration with other international partners to trace and disrupt the wider criminal network associated with this seizure,” Murkomen said.

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Maritime Surveillance Systems

Further, he said the government is progressively heightening its multi-agency security coordination framework and the vigilance of the 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,” he added.

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NPS arrested six foreign individuals with narcotics worth Ksh8.2 billion in Mombasa. PHOTO/NPS X.