Authorities in Kenya have detained four suspects in Nairobi after a major cocaine haul seized in London linked to an international drug syndicate. The suspects appeared at the JKIA Law Courts on October 7, 2025 and will be held for 13 days as investigations continue.
Details of the Arrests
The Multi-Agency Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) arrested the suspects between October 5 and 7, 2025. The group is accused of smuggling cocaine through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for local and international markets.
Key suspects include:
- Rishad Abdulrahim Sheikh, said to be the head of the syndicate. Sheikh has Kenyan and British citizenship.
- Muamar Mutua Mohammed, the syndicate logistician.
- Hajinur Yussuf Mohamed, a British national and Sheikh’s cousin.
- Adam Omari.
Sheikh and Hajinur were tracked to Nyali Centre Mall in Mombasa. The others were arrested at an apartment in Utawala, Nairobi. During the operation, detectives recovered packages suspected to be narcotics and seven mobile phones for forensic analysis.
Connection to London Cocaine Haul
Kenya’s investigation is closely tied to the recent seizure of 20 kilograms of cocaine in London, valued at Sh100 million. Jesse Da Mata Dos Santos, a British national, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in May 2025. Dos Santos, who first came to Kenya in late 2024 and returned in May 2025, was monitored by Kenyan security agencies throughout his stay.
Dos Santos met several local and international contacts. Kenya’s authorities decided not to arrest him locally to allow UK police to catch the entire syndicate. Now, he awaits trial in London.
Sources and Syndicate Network
Investigators believe the cocaine originated in Tanzania and used Kenya as a transit point. The suspects in Nairobi have been linked to Dos Santos and the wider international network. Forensic tests are ongoing to connect the seized drugs to previous trafficking cases.
Why Kenya Did Not Arrest Dos Santos Locally
Officials explained that arresting Dos Santos in Nairobi would have alerted the wider network and risked interference. By letting him travel to the UK, authorities increased the chance of dismantling the international syndicate.
Conclusion
The cocaine haul seized in London has exposed a major drug syndicate with operations spanning Kenya, Tanzania, and the UK. Security agencies continue to investigate and collaborate with international partners to stop drug trafficking. The suspects are detained in Nairobi pending further investigations.
