NAIROBI, Kenya — An Afghan national wanted by United States authorities over alleged narcotics trafficking and firearms offences has been extradited from Kenya following a joint international law enforcement operation coordinated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The DCI announced on Saturday, July 11, 2026, that the suspect was extradited to the United States on July 9 after Kenyan courts approved the request under international legal cooperation frameworks.
The operation was conducted by the DCI’s 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 the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through its Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), has successfully extradited Afghan national Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as Haji Abdul Zahir, to face charges in the United States relating to an alleged narcotics importation conspiracy and related firearms offences,” the agency said in a statement.
US arrest warrant and Interpol notice
According to the DCI, the extradition followed an arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 25, 2025.
US prosecutors accuse the suspect of participating in a narcotics importation conspiracy and possessing prohibited weapons, including machine guns and destructive devices.
Following the issuance of the warrant, INTERPOL circulated a Red Notice, a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual pending extradition proceedings.
Authorities say Kenyan investigators acted on the international alert after the suspect entered the country.
Arrested upon arrival in Nairobi
The DCI said detectives arrested the Afghan national in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after he arrived from Kabul, Afghanistan.
The arrest triggered a lengthy extradition process involving Kenyan investigative agencies, prosecutors and the courts.
Extradition proceedings in Kenya require judicial review to ensure compliance with domestic laws, constitutional safeguards and international obligations before a suspect can be surrendered to a requesting state.
After the legal process was concluded, ANU officers transferred the suspect from Industrial Area Prison to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was handed over to US authorities for transportation to the United States.
“On Thursday, July 9, 2026, ANU detectives collected the suspect from Industrial Area Prison and escorted him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” the DCI said.
Growing international cooperation
Kenya has increasingly strengthened cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies in investigations involving narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, financial crimes, terrorism and other forms of transnational organised crime.
The DCI said the latest extradition demonstrates the effectiveness of international partnerships in tracking and prosecuting suspects whose alleged criminal activities span multiple jurisdictions.
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“This extradition underscores the enduring partnership between Kenyan and United States law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime,” the agency said.
Security experts note that INTERPOL Red Notices have become a key tool in facilitating cross-border investigations by enabling member countries to locate and arrest suspects wanted abroad.
Commitment to rule of law
The DCI said the successful extradition reflects Kenya’s commitment to international legal cooperation and the rule of law.
The agency emphasised that the process was conducted through established legal channels involving investigators, prosecutors and the courts.
“The operation reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to the rule of law, due process and international legal obligations in handling individuals wanted for serious criminal offences,” the statement added.
The suspect is expected to appear before a federal court in New York to answer the charges contained in the US indictment.
American authorities have not publicly disclosed further details regarding the alleged narcotics conspiracy or the specific circumstances surrounding the firearms-related accusations.
