The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has come out to speak after reports went round that part of the 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine that had been seized off the Kenyan coast has been stolen by its officials.
In a statement from KDF Strategic Communications, KDF refuted these claims, saying that the illegal drugs popularly known as Crystal Meth were in a secure location. “The entire consignment offloaded ashore remains secure,” KDF said.
Nonetheless, KDF confirmed that a number of its officials who are suspected of involvement in the alleged theft were under investigation. The army stated that if they are found to have committed any wrongdoing, ‘appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with the law.
The drugs seized by the military are worth an estimated Sh8.2 billion in street value. The crystal meth drugs were seized off the Kenyan coast, about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa.
READ MORE: Where was Sh8.2 billion meth seized by Kenya Navy at the coast headed?
The drugs were seized from a stateless dhow that was dubbed as ‘Igor’. The dhow had a crew of six who were all Iranian nationals. The meth seized by Kenya Navy was packaged in packets that were concealed in black polythene bags.
These packets were then wrapped with a yellow tape labelled that was labeled as ‘100 per cent roasted and grounded Arabica coffee’. This was meant to disguise them as coffee.
This was the third seizure of drugs worth over Sh1 billion, raising questions on whether the Kenyan waters are a transit for illegal habour and, or an entry point for illegal drugs.
For instance, in 2014, Sh1.4 billion heroin was found aboard a ship in the Indian Ocean by the Kenya Navy. These drugs were found on the deck of the vessel AMIN DARYA also known as MV Al Noor.
Six Pakistani nationals and 1 Iranian national were arrested and sentenced to life in prison by a Magistrate’s Court. However, they filed an appeal at the High Court and were set free by Justice Wendy Micheni over what was termed as procedural shortcomings.
In 2006, 1.1 tonnes of cocaine valued at an estimated Sh6 billion was seized by the police in Nairobi and Malindi in 2006.
