Kenya extradites Afghan drug suspect to U.S. over narcotics charges
Kenya extradites Afghan drug suspect to U.S. over narcotics charges
The Kenyan government has extradited an Afghan national accused of drug trafficking in America following a formal request by the U.S. for his surrender to face narcotics and firearms-related charges.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect was extradited on Thursday, July 9, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings before Kenyan courts.
Detectives said the extradition followed cooperation between Kenyan and U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the DCI, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Judiciary and INTERPOL.
According to the DCI, the extradition stemmed from a request by the U.S. government after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest on March 25, 2025.
According to the extradition request, the accused is wanted in the U.S. over an alleged narcotics importation conspiracy as well as charges involving the possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, INTERPOL circulated a Red Notice to law enforcement agencies worldwide to facilitate his arrest and transfer to the United States.
Acting on the Red Notice and the U.S. warrant, DCI detectives arrested the suspect in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after he arrived in Kenya from Kabul, Afghanistan.
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Following his arrest, the ODPP filed extradition proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts, which later approved his surrender to the United States in line with Kenyan law.
The DCI said it collected the suspect from Industrial Area Prison on Thursday, July 9, and escorted him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was formally handed over to the U.S. officials.
“This extradition underscores the enduring partnership between Kenyan and United States law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime,” the DCI said.
“It also reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, honouring its international legal obligations, and ensuring that persons sought for serious criminal offences are subjected to due process,” it added.
The extradition marks one of the latest instances of cooperation between Kenya and the U.S. in pursuing suspects wanted for serious international crimes, particularly those involving drug trafficking.
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