The War for Mombasa's Drug Empire

The War for Mombasa's Drug Empire is the story of two powerful factions that fought for control of Kenya's coastal drug underworld — the Akasha family and billionaire businessman Ali Punjani. Long before the rivalry exploded at Rahian Bar and Restaurant in Mombasa on New Year's Eve 2016, Ibrahim Akasha Abdallah had built a vast international narcotics network linking Mombasa to the Middle East, Europe and South Africa through what became known as the Southern Route. After Akasha Senior was assassinated in Amsterdam in 2000, his sons Baktash Akasha, E-brahim Akasha and Nurdin Akasha became involved in a bitter struggle over their father's empire. With the return of longtime associate Vicky Goswami, the Akashas rebuilt their international connections and expanded their operations. But they were no longer the only power in Mombasa. Ali Punjani had built his own influence through the Port of Mombasa, business, logistics and powerful connections. As the two empires grew, their rivalry became increasingly violent, involving kidnappings, beatings, alleged corruption, drug trafficking and confrontations between their associates. Then the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began building a case against the Akashas. Undercover DEA agents recorded meetings with E-brahim Akasha as they negotiated major drug transactions, eventually leading to the arrest and extradition of Baktash Akasha, E-brahim Akasha and Vicky Goswami to the United States. The story would ultimately end in American federal courtrooms, with Baktash Akasha receiving a 25-year prison sentence and E-brahim Akasha receiving 23 years. Meanwhile, Ali Punjani's fortunes also began to collapse as Kenyan authorities raided his Mombasa home and later seized his famous mansion over a massive debt. This is the story of the Akasha brothers, Ali Punjani, Vicky Goswami and the violent struggle that transformed Mombasa's drug underworld — and how both empires eventually fell. Watch the full documentary to discover how Mombasa became a major hub in an international drug trafficking network stretching from the Middle East to Africa, Europe and the United States. ⚠️ This documentary discusses drug trafficking, violence, murder, corruption and criminal allegations. It is presented for documentary, historical and educational purposes. #Mombasa #AkashaBrothers #AliPunjani #VickyGoswami #Kenya #TrueCrime #DrugTrafficking #MombasaCrime #KenyanCrime #DrugLords #DEA #SouthernRoute #BaktashAkasha #EbrahimAkasha #DarkHourDocs