The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has extradited an Afghan national to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged international narcotics trafficking conspiracy and firearms offences.
In a statement , the DCI said Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as Haji Abdul Zahir, was extradited on July 9, 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings before Kenyan courts.
The agency said the extradition was carried out through its Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judiciary, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and INTERPOL.
According to the DCI, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a warrant for Qadeer’s arrest on March 25, 2025, in connection with alleged narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued to facilitate his arrest and extradition.
Acting on the Red Notice and the U.S. arrest warrant, detectives launched a coordinated operation that led to Qadeer’s arrest in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after he arrived from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Following his arrest, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions initiated extradition proceedings before the Milimani Law Courts.
The DCI said the court granted custodial orders pending the hearing and determination of the extradition application before ultimately authorising his surrender to the United States in accordance with Kenyan law.
On Thursday, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit collected Qadeer from Industrial Area Prison and escorted him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was formally handed over to officials from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration before departing for the United States.
“The extradition, effected on July 9, 2026, followed the conclusion of extradition proceedings before Kenyan courts and marked the culmination of close cooperation between the DCI, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and INTERPOL,” the DCI said.
The agency said the extradition demonstrates the close collaboration between Kenyan and U.S. law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime and cross-border narcotics trafficking.
The DCI added that the successful extradition also reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, honouring its international legal obligations and ensuring that individuals wanted for serious criminal offences are subjected to due process through established judicial mechanisms.
The extradition is the latest in a series of international law enforcement collaborations involving Kenya and foreign agencies targeting organised criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Got a news tip? Please send us an email at info@nairobidaily.com
