Rs 3 Billion Methamphetamine Haul Seized in Indian Ocean Drug Bust

More than one tonne of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of nearly 2.91 billion Mauritian Rupees, has been seized in a major maritime operation in the Indian Ocean, regional authorities announced.

Operation Details and Arrests

The Kenyan Navy intercepted an unidentified dhow approximately 600 kilometres offshore on October 25, 2025. Onboard, they discovered 1,024 kg of methamphetamine divided into 769 packages.

The successful bust was hailed as a regional victory against narcotics trafficking networks and demonstrated the effectiveness of regional maritime security cooperation. Following the interception, the dhow was escorted to the Port of Mombasa, where Kenyan authorities arrested six foreign nationals.

A Kenyan inter-ministerial task force, including the national police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, has since taken over to begin legal proceedings and forensic analysis.

Regional Cooperation Crucial to Success

The large-scale operation was made possible by the coordinated efforts of several key regional players, operating under the framework of the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme, which is supported by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the European Union (EU).

• The Kenyan Navy worked closely with the Regional Operations Coordination Centre (RCOC), based in the Seychelles, and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC), located in Madagascar. These centres, which are under the IOC’s umbrella, are essential for information sharing, maritime monitoring, and coordinating naval responses.
• Seychelles played a crucial role by deploying a maritime patrol aircraft to track the suspect vessel until its interception.

Regional authorities praised the operation as a model of exemplary collaboration and a strong message to traffickers using the Indian Ocean as a strategic route. The SSA programme, which member countries contribute to, continues to prove effective against criminal networks operating on the high seas.

Wider Security Implications

While Mauritius was not directly involved in the interception, its security is strengthened by the integrated regional structures like the RMIFC and RCOC. Mauritian agencies, including the National Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Customs Anti-Narcotics Section, and intelligence units, actively collaborate with these centres to counter cross-border threats, particularly illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean.

The SSA programme, which Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa also participate in, aims to reinforce maritime security and builds upon previous initiatives like the Maritime Security (MASE) programme.

Source: Le Mauricien