Multi-agency security team in Mombasa escorts Sh8.2bn methamphetamine haul for destruction

Kenyan authorities have destroyed a staggering 1,036kg of methamphetamine valued at Ksh8.2 billion at the Bamburi Cement Factory in Mombasa. This seizure, which occurred on September 24, 2026, sheds light on a dangerous drug that poses significant physical and psychological risks. Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant that speeds up the brain's and body's normal functions.

It can induce feelings of heightened alertness, energy, and euphoria. The drug is available in various forms, including powder, pills, or crystals. Crystal meth, for instance, may resemble small pieces of glass.

Methamphetamine is notorious for its highly addictive nature. By increasing dopamine levels in the brain, it strengthens the desire for repeated use. Upon consumption, a person may experience rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, heightened breathing rate, and body temperature. Initial effects may include agitation, anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

However, with larger quantities, these effects can escalate to life-threatening conditions such as dangerously high body temperatures, convulsions, stroke, heart problems, and even death.

Long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to severe dental problems, significant weight loss, paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, and other debilitating psychological issues. It's a synthetic drug, meaning it doesn't rely on growing a plant like cannabis or coca. Instead, it's produced illegally from chemical substances. Methamphetamine's prominence in illegal drug markets is evident from global seizure records.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that amphetamine-type stimulant seizures hit a record 604 tonnes in 2024, with methamphetamine making up the majority of the haul. The 1,036kg consignment seized in Mombasa also underscores the vast scale of international trafficking networks. Prior to the court-supervised disposal, this consignment had been held as evidence in a trafficking case.