Drug Trafficking suspects, Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi — arraigned before the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa on Monday October 27, 2025. Photo Courtesy. 
By Ryan Mumo
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has initiated legal proceedings against six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking narcotic drugs valued at approximately Sh8 billion.
The suspects — Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi — were on Monday arraigned before the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa.
They were arrested on October 24, 2024, at Kilindini Port following a coordinated multi-agency operation that led to the seizure of 769 packages of crystalline substances suspected to be synthetic narcotics, weighing 1,035.986 kilograms.
According to investigators, the consignment was discovered aboard a “dark vessel” that had been operating in the Indian Ocean without proper identification, following intelligence shared by the Kenya Navy.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Antony Musyoka, requested the court to grant more time to verify the credentials of the interpreter assisting the foreign suspects. They also sought the appointment of an independent interpreter to ensure fairness in the proceedings.
The DPP is expected to apply for the continued detention of the suspects for 30 days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the offences, contrary to Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994.
Senior Principal Magistrate ordered that the six remain in custody at the Port Police Station pending further directions on Tuesday, October 28.
