Mombasa, Kenya — In a major maritime security triumph, the Kenya Navy has intercepted a stateless dhow codenamed IGOR and seized 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at approximately KSh 8.2 billion, following a meticulously coordinated operation 630 kilometres east of the Mombasa coast.
The seizure marks one of the largest drug interceptions in Kenyan maritime history and underscores the growing collaboration between regional and international security agencies in the fight against transnational organized crime in the Western Indian Ocean.
Operation “Bahari Safi 2025.01”
Codenamed Operation Bahari Safi 2025.01, the interception was carried out under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) Programme, an initiative aimed at enhancing regional maritime security and intelligence sharing.
During the mission, the Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) SHUPAVU successfully tracked and intercepted the dhow, which had long been under surveillance by international drug enforcement bodies. Despite having repeatedly evaded previous operations, the vessel’s movements were finally curtailed through a coordinated multi-agency effort.
Deputy Commander Kenya Navy Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, who led the operation, confirmed the successful interception:
“The Kenya Navy successfully intercepted a vessel of interest codenamed IGOR suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing Kenya’s maritime domain against transnational criminal activities.”
Regional Collaboration
The operation was conducted in close coordination with 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 surveillance support through a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
This joint response reflects a growing network of regional cooperation aimed at monitoring, detecting, and interdicting illicit maritime activities, including drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and piracy across the Indian Ocean corridor.
Crew Arrested, Investigations Underway
The intercepted dhow, along with its six crew members, was escorted by KNS SHUPAVU to the Port of Mombasa, where it was handed over to a multi-agency task force for further investigation and prosecution. Authorities have since obtained court warrants to conduct detailed inspection and forensic testing of the vessel and its cargo.
Preliminary intelligence suggests that the narcotics were intended for international distribution networks, with possible connections to organized criminal syndicates operating along the East African maritime route.
Strengthening Maritime Security
The success of Operation Bahari Safi 2025.01 reinforces Kenya’s strategic role in regional maritime law enforcement and its growing capability to police its vast maritime territory effectively.
Kenya’s ongoing investments in naval surveillance, vessel monitoring, and international cooperation continue to bolster its position as a leading maritime security actor in the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR).
“This operation showcases the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating transnational crimes within the Western Indian Ocean,” a Kenya Defence Forces statement emphasized.
The bust not only disrupts a significant drug trafficking network but also sends a strong message to international criminal enterprises exploiting maritime routes for illicit trade — Kenya’s seas are no longer safe waters for crime.
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