Kenya Anti-Narcotics & Arms Operation Nets Weapons, Drugs on Norway-Flagged Ship

Event

Last Thursday, the Kenya army in conjunction with the General Service Unit and anti-narcotics/drugs department conducted an operation on a ship that was suspected to carry drugs and arms at the Kenyan coast.

This followed a tip from the intelligence service which had conducted credible prior surveillance on the ship that had been suspected to ship arms, ammunition, and drugs.

As earlier forecast, the Norwegian-flagged ship earlier intercepted has been found to transport unspecified amount of weapons that are being held by the security agents. Intercepted drugs at the port are also being tested to determine which exact type they are.

Intelligence also shows that the port of Mombasa is used as the transit point for hard drugs and ammunition and illegal ivory trade.

Analysis

Over time, the port of Mombasa has been used as the transit point for hard drugs and ammunition and illegal ivory trade by global players in the illegal industry.

Among other occurrences, Kenyan police in July seized 341.7 kg of heroin hidden in the diesel tank of a ship, the biggest single seizure of drugs at Mombasa. And last November, an Australian Navy warship patrolling Indian Ocean waters seized heroin worth $158 million. Another Australian warship raided a dhow with 1,023 kg of heroin on board near Kenya in April 2014.

The transported drugs and ammunition have been found to quickly sieve into the population of Kenya’s coastal region thus spiking the incidences of crime and terror related activities. Nearly 60% of drug money, arms, and ammunition have been found to be traded in Mombasa.

Kenya’s border and maritime surveillance has however increased the capability to pre-empt the illegal transportation of drugs, arms and ammunition.