Africa-Press – Kenya. Seven soldiers who were arrested in connection with the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine valued at Sh192 million have been released on bond after a Mombasa court declined to extend their detention.
Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo ordered that each suspect be released on a Sh500,000 bond with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000.
The court also directed that each suspect provide one contact person and report weekly to the Anti-Narcotics Police Unit as investigations continue.
The soldiers were arrested on December 11, 2025, during a joint operation involving detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters and the Mombasa regional offices.
Investigators allege that the suspects were involved in trafficking 25 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, which was reportedly recovered packed in whitish crystalline packets.
A day later, on December 12, Magistrate Ollimo granted investigators 10 days to detain the suspects to allow completion of the forensic examination of the seized substance.
The prosecution told the court that releasing the suspects at that stage could jeopardise investigations through possible interference with witnesses, destruction of digital evidence, or coordination with other individuals reportedly involved.
The court noted the high value of the suspected narcotics, the technical nature of the forensic analysis, and concerns over potential flight risk. The matter was set for mention on December 22 for further directions.
When the case was mentioned, the court heard that investigations were still ongoing and that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was awaiting a government chemist’s report before making a decision on the appropriate charges. The suspects are yet to be formally charged or take a plea.
The prosecution emphasised that no charges could be approved without a scientific classification of the seized substance, noting that neither investigators nor prosecutors have the mandate to categorise suspected narcotics.
Charging decisions, they said, must be guided strictly by facts, evidence, and the law, in line with constitutional requirements.
Detective Issack Njoroge of the DCI requested further custodial detention pending the outcome of the chemist’s analysis, stating that the substance had already been submitted for examination and that a report was expected by January 3.
Defence lawyers opposed the request, arguing that continued detention without charges would be unconstitutional.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ollimo declined to extend the detention orders, released the suspects on bond, and directed that the matter be mentioned on January 6, 2026, for further directions as investigations continue.
The initial seizure of the suspected drugs, packaged in 769 concealed units, also led to the arrest of six foreigners. Following the subsequent arrest of the seven soldiers, the Ministry of Defence said it would take disciplinary and legal action if the allegations are confirmed.
“The entire 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine offloaded ashore remains intact,” the military said via a statement issued by the KDF’s Strategic Communications Department.
Investigations by the DCI are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.tion.
