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 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 (ODPP), the Judiciary, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and INTERPOL.

According to the extradition request, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a warrant of arrest against Qadeer on March 25, 2025, in connection with charges of narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued to facilitate his arrest and surrender to the United States.

Acting on the Red Notice and the U.S. arrest warrant, detectives mounted a coordinated operation that led to Qadeer’s arrest in Nairobi on April 15, 2025, shortly after his arrival from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Following his arrest, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions instituted extradition proceedings before the Milimani Law Courts. The court granted custodial orders pending determination of the application and, upon conclusion of the proceedings, authorised his extradition to the United States in accordance with Kenyan law.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, ANU detectives collected Qadeer from Industrial Area Prison and escorted him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). There, he was formally handed over to officials from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration before departing to the United States.

This extradition underscores the enduring partnership between Kenyan and United States law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime. It also reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, honouring its international legal obligations, and ensuring that persons sought for serious criminal offences are subjected to due process through established judicial mechanisms.