The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has opened an internal investigation into several of its personnel over allegations that they stole and concealed part of a crystal meth consignment worth approximately Sh8.2 billion, recovered during a multi-agency maritime operation in late October.

The claims emerged after the interception of a stateless dhow, codenamed IGOR, on 25 October 2025, around 630 kilometres east of Mombasa.

The operation, known as Bahari Safi 2025.01, was led by the Kenya Navy and supported by regional maritime security centres in Seychelles and Madagascar. Authorities seized 1,024 kilograms of crystal meth, marking one of Kenya’s largest narcotics recoveries.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, KDF acknowledged receiving reports suggesting that some officers involved in offloading the narcotics at the Port of Mombasa may have diverted a portion of the haul for personal gain. The vessel had been escorted to the port under a court-issued warrant.

According to KDF’s Strategic Communications Department, the allegations surfaced during the offloading stage. The department noted that it had been claimed internally that certain personnel participating in the mission stole and hid part of the seized drugs.

The military, however, clarified that the entire consignment remains intact. KDF stated that all 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine offloaded ashore are secure and under constant protection by a dedicated multi-agency security team operating round the clock.

The officers named in the allegations are now the subject of an internal investigation. KDF indicated that, should the claims be confirmed, disciplinary and legal action will be taken in accordance with Kenyan law.

The dhow IGOR had been under surveillance by international drug enforcement agencies before being intercepted by Kenya Navy Ship Shupavu.

Six foreign nationals found on board were detained following the coordinated operation, which involved the Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre in Madagascar.

Police reported discovering 769 packages of high-grade crystal meth concealed in multiple compartments within the vessel. The National Police Service commended the multi-agency effort, saying it reflected Kenya’s growing maritime security capability.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched an inquiry to determine the origin of the shipment, its transit route, financial backers, and its intended destination through the Western Indian Ocean.

References: capitalfm, nairobidaily