Police seize meth valued at Sh22 million at JKIA

The seized meth consignment at JKIA./HANDOUT

Police at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport intercepted two consignments containing suspected narcotic during a multi-agency verification exercise, officials said.

The drugs were found to be methamphetamine valued at Sh22 million.

According to the police, the operation was conducted on April 27, 2026, at a cargo shed, involving officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and other stakeholders.

The first shipment, originating from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and destined for the Philippines, had been declared as car piston samples.

Police discovered a whitish crystalline substance concealed within the package.

Preliminary tests confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine, a psychotropic drug, weighing approximately 1,730 grams with an estimated street value of Sh13.84 million.

In a second interception, a shipment from Juja Sub-County in Kiambu County, also destined for the Philippines and declared as handbags, was found to contain concealed compartments. Upon opening the three packages, officers discovered a clear crystalline substance hidden in false compartments.

The substance similarly tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing about 1,020 grams with a street value of Sh8.16 million. Authorities have seized both consignments, and further investigations are underway.

The police are trying to get those who sent the consignment. The airport personnel have been keen on cargo and seized several drugs sent to various destinations. Last week, the team seized 700 grams of cocaine valued at Sh2.8 million destined for Saudi Arabia.

The consignment originated in Busia and was destined for Jeddah and was in four storybooks. The seizure of the methamphetamine at the airport raises more questions about the source.

Last year, security teams intercepted a vessel in the Indian Ocean carrying methamphetamine worth over Sh8.2 billion and arrested six Iranian nationals on board.

Kenya Navy deputy commander Brigadier Sankale Kisua said the narcotics were aboard a stateless vessel christened Mashallah.

Brigadier Kisua, who led the intelligence-driven operation, said six Iranians were on board when the vessel was intercepted and escorted to the Mombasa port.

“For the last four days, we’ve been conducting an operation code-named Operation Bahari Safi, where the Kenya Navy was able to intercept this suspicious vessel about 630km east of Mombasa,” Brig Kisua said.

The probe into the saga is ongoing. Police said the seizure is a good sign in the war against drug smuggling.