Seven KDF soldiers detained for ten days over Sh192 million meth bust

A Mombasa court has ordered that seven soldiers be detained for ten days to allow investigators to complete forensic examinations in a Sh192 million methamphetamine trafficking case.

Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo issued the order after granting an application by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), which argued that more time was needed to analyse evidence linked to the alleged drug operation.

The soldiers were arrested on December 11 during a joint operation conducted by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters and the Mombasa regional office.

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A Mombasa court has ordered the detention of seven soldiers for 10 days to allow investigators to complete forensic analysis in a Sh192 million... pic.twitter.com/e69eHyn2fi

- Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) December 11, 2025

They were identified as Duke Nyamwaya, Juma Mwinyifaki, Michael Kariuki, Elijah Mbogo Gacog'u, James Ekiru, Abdulrehman Salad, and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno.

According to investigators, the suspects are alleged to have trafficked 25 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, which was packed in whitish crystalline packets. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of Sh192 million.

Investigating officer PC Isaac Njoroge told the court that subsequent searches at the suspects' homes and workplaces led to the recovery of additional narcotics and 11 mobile phones which are believed to contain crucial information related to the alleged trafficking network.

The court authorised a full forensic analysis of all recovered electronic devices, with investigators expecting the examinations to reveal communication patterns and possible links to a wider drug trafficking syndicate.

The prosecution further informed the court that the seized drugs are yet to be weighed, sampled, and analysed, explaining that immediate laboratory analysis was not possible at the time of the arrests.

Investigators warned that releasing the suspects at this stage could compromise the case, citing the risk of witness interference, destruction of digital evidence, or coordination with accomplices who remain at large.

Prosecutors Yassir Mohammed and Brenda Oganda urged the court to consider the seriousness of the matter and the public interest, emphasising the need for a thorough and uninterrupted investigation.

In her ruling, Magistrate Ollimo agreed that the high value of the drugs, the technical nature of the forensic processes, and the potential flight risk justified the extended detention.

The case is scheduled to be mentioned on December 22 for further directions.