Six Iranian nationals charged with trafficking narcotic drugs worth an estimated Sh8.2 billion reversed their earlier guilty pleas.
This prompted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reaffirm its resolve to pursue the high-stakes case to its logical conclusion.
The accused, Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch and Imtiyaz Daryay appeared before Chief Magistrate Hon. Anthony Mwicigi, where they requested that the charge be read afresh, claiming they had not understood it when they pleaded guilty a fortnight ago.
Upon re-reading of the charge, all six entered pleas of not guilty.
The DPP has charged the six with trafficking in narcotic drugs contrary to Section 4(a)(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, as amended in 2022.
Prosecutors told the court the accused were jointly involved in trafficking 1,036.044 kilograms of methamphetamine aboard an unregistered and stateless dark vessel named “Mashaallah.”
Prosecution told court the offence was committed between October 17 and 20 2025, on the high seas at Latitude 04° 46.79’S and Longitude 045° 27.42’E, approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Port of Mombasa.
The massive consignment underscores the transnational nature of the crime and the growing threat posed by maritime drug trafficking networks.
Prosecution led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi alongside Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Wanga Tito and Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Ndiema and Susan Lewa, strongly opposed the release of the accused on bond.
They argued that the suspects are foreign nationals with no known local residence or reliable contacts, presenting a high risk of absconding if released.
The court agreed with the DPP’s position and denied the accused bond, ordering that they be remanded at Shimo La Tewa Prison pending hearing and determination of the case.
The court further directed that pro bono legal counsel be appointed at state expense to ensure a fair trial.
The matter will be mentioned for pre-trial on February 19, 2026.
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