Akasha brothers extradited to US to face drug-related charges

The government has extradited two sons of slain drug baron Ibrahim Akasha and two foreigners to the US to face drug-related charges for directing a heroin trafficking ring from Mombasa.

Sources indicate that Baktash Akasha and his brother Ibrahim, together with Gulam Hussein and Vijaygiri Goswami have been flown to the US after they were arrested on Saturday in Nyali, Mombasa County by anti-terror police officers.

The suspects were out on bail after being charged with engaging in a fight at a popular club in Nyali three weeks ago.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) spent years infiltrating the “Akasha organisation,” which it alleges is a major smuggling operation connecting the poppy fields of Afghanistan to the cities of Europe and the United States.

This is after the extradition proceedings against the two sons Ibrahim Abdalah Akasha and their two accomplices becgan on May 26th, 2016.

Mombasa Chief Magistrate Julius Nang’ea issued the orders after defence lawyers and Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Alex Muteti agreed on the date.

This has been delayed by numerous applications by the defence, including more than 10 adjournments since the suspects were arraigned in court two years ago.

In 2014, Baktash and Abdalla Akasha were among four suspects arrested in Nyali over their alleged involvement in the trafficking of 98 heroin packets in a house in Nairobi.

The court heard that the US had issued a warrant of arrest against them.

A state counsel, Alexander Mutei, told the court that the suspects were in Interpol’s watch list and wanted them remanded for 21 days to allow the extradition process to be completed.

But defence lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Gikandi Ngibuini opposed the call arguing that Interpol must produce evidence that their clients were indeed involved in the international narcotics trade.

Tags:

Mombasa US nyali drug trafficking Baktash Akasha Ibrahim Akasha Akasha Gulam Hussein slain drug baron Ibrahim Akasha Vijaygiri Goswami

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories