Kenya Navy Intercepts Dhow Carrying Narcotics Worth Sh8.2 Billion in the Western Indian Ocean
Mombasa, Kenya, October 26, 2025 (KNA) – The Kenya Navy has intercepted a stateless dhow codenamed IGOR in the Western Indian Ocean, seizing 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at approximately KSh 8.2 billion in one of the country’s largest maritime drug busts in recent years.
The vessel, which was operating without registration, was captured about 630 kilometres east of the Mombasa Coast during a high-level maritime operation involving multiple international and regional partners.
According to Deputy Commander Kenya Navy and Multi-Agency Team Leader, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, the dhow had been on the radar of international drug enforcement agencies and had previously evaded capture.
“The Kenya Navy successfully intercepted a vessel of interest codenamed IGOR, suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking,” Brigadier Kiswaa said.
The interception was part of Operation BAHARI SAFI 2025.01, conducted under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) Programme. The Navy deployed Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) Shupavu to pursue and capture the dhow, with coordination support from regional security institutions.
The joint maritime operation involved the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles, the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, and the Republic of Seychelles, which provided Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) surveillance during the operation.
Following the successful interception, KNS Shupavu escorted the dhow and its six crew members to the Port of Mombasa, where the vessel was handed over to a multi-agency law enforcement team for inspection and investigation. Authorities have already secured court warrants to facilitate further examination and forensic testing of the seized narcotics.
Brigadier Kiswaa commended the collaboration among regional maritime security agencies, saying the success of the operation demonstrated Kenya’s growing capability in curbing transnational organized crime within the Western Indian Ocean region.
“This operation underscores our unwavering commitment to regional maritime security and the fight against illicit trafficking,” he emphasized.
The seizure marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to secure its maritime borders and disrupt international narcotics supply networks operating through the Indian Ocean corridor.