Six Iranians grilled in Shanzu court over Sh8.2bn meth haul
SHANZU, Kenya — Six Iranian nationals appeared in Shanzu Law Courts on Tuesday as their trial continued over a high-seas methamphetamine trafficking operation valued at Sh8.2 billion.
Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi directed the prosecution to submit its first bundle of evidence and confirmed the schedule for witness testimonies, which will include naval officers and forensic experts.
Kenya Navy Lieutenant Colonel Joab Gitonga told the court how a coordinated operation led to the interception of the unregistered dhow.
They found the vessel Mashallah on October 20, 2025, about 350 nautical miles off the Kenyan coast, with support from the Seychelles Coast Guard.
Boarding teams discovered 769 packets of methamphetamine, weighing over one tonne, and six crew members holding Iranian identification but no registration papers.
The accused — Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Rahim Baksh Goharam, Hassan Baloch, Imran Baloch Mustafa, Nadeem Jadgal Abdulgani and Emtiyaz Daryayi — remain in custody as the prosecution builds its case.
The trial will hear a total of 12 witnesses, detailing the sophisticated smuggling operation and the evidence linking the suspects to the haul.
Magistrate Mwicigi emphasized that the prosecution must present all evidence in a timely manner, to ensure a thorough and transparent hearing.
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