Kenya has extradited an Afghan national wanted by United States authorities on allegations of participating in an international narcotics trafficking conspiracy and related firearms offences, marking another milestone in cross-border cooperation against organised crime.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as Haji Abdul Zahir, was extradited on July 9 after Kenyan courts concluded extradition proceedings and approved his surrender to U.S. authorities. The operation was carried out through a joint effort involving the DCI's Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judiciary, INTERPOL and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to investigators, Qadeer was arrested in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after arriving from Kabul, Afghanistan, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of the United States. He is wanted in the U.S. on allegations of conspiracy to import heroin and methamphetamine, as well as firearms-related offences involving machine guns and destructive devices. The allegations remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
Following the High Court's approval of the extradition, detectives transferred Qadeer from Industrial Area Prison to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where he was formally handed over to DEA officials before departing for the United States to face trial. The extradition followed months of legal proceedings after the suspect unsuccessfully challenged the request in Kenyan courts.
The DCI said the case demonstrates the continued collaboration between Kenyan and international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime, particularly narcotics trafficking and related offences that cross national borders.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as Haji Abdul Zahir, was extradited on July 9 after Kenyan courts concluded extradition proceedings and approved his surrender to U.S. authorities. The operation was carried out through a joint effort involving the DCI's Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judiciary, INTERPOL and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to investigators, Qadeer was arrested in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after arriving from Kabul, Afghanistan, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of the United States. He is wanted in the U.S. on allegations of conspiracy to import heroin and methamphetamine, as well as firearms-related offences involving machine guns and destructive devices. The allegations remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
Following the High Court's approval of the extradition, detectives transferred Qadeer from Industrial Area Prison to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where he was formally handed over to DEA officials before departing for the United States to face trial. The extradition followed months of legal proceedings after the suspect unsuccessfully challenged the request in Kenyan courts.
The DCI said the case demonstrates the continued collaboration between Kenyan and international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime, particularly narcotics trafficking and related offences that cross national borders.
