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World / Africa

Kenya police seize $27 million worth of crystal meth in 'operational breakthrough'

Published: 09 Nov 2026 - 05:27 pm | Last Updated: 09 Nov 2026 - 05:54 pm

AFP

Nairobi: Kenyan law enforcement agencies seized 454 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with an worth around $27 million during a joint multi-agency operation, the national police said Monday.

Displaying the seized drugs to journalists, Kenya's Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, described the seizure as an "operational breakthrough".

The raid took place on Saturday along the Kenyan coast following a tip-off from Tanzanian authorities, who had arrested a suspect in a separate drug bust.

Three suspects, two Tanzanians and a Ugandan, were arrested during the operation.

"This is a significant operational achievement... It underscores the importance of intelligence-led investigations, cross border cooperation and sustained pressure on trafficking networks," Amin said.

The seizure comes a year after the east African nation confiscated 1,036 kilograms of methamphetamine in what was then the largest drug haul in its history.

"Kenya will not be allowed to serve as a transit route, a destination market or a safe haven for drug traffickers," Amin said.

Between January and October 2026, Kenya arrested 1,631 people in connection with narcotics offences and seized drugs worth millions of dollars.