LATRA, DCEA unite against drug abuse in transport

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) and the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) are set to collaborate in educating upcountry bus owners, drivers and crew on laws governing drug control in the country.

This initiative was revealed by the Commissioner General of DCEA, Eretas Lyimo, during his visit to LATRA’s pavilion at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair in the city over the weekend, where he met with LATRA’s Director General, CPA Habibu Suluo during which they discussed the matter.

“I met with the LATRA director with the aim of establishing a collaborative agreement to begin providing education on drug control laws to bus owners, drivers and conductors so they can well understand the DCEA Act,” Lyimo said.

He said the law states that any person or vehicle caught transporting illegal drugs will be seized and legal action will be taken against the driver and crew, as they are responsible for the vehicle and its cargo.

“Any passenger found with such cargo will be directly held accountable, but the conductor and driver will also be responsible because they allowed the vehicle to carry that load,” he stressed.

Mr Lyimo said that the primary goal of the initiative is to increase awareness among drivers and conductors, encouraging them to be vigilant in inspecting luggage to avoid transporting illegal drugs unknowingly.

Clarifying the legal implications for vehicles used in drug trafficking, the DCEA boss explained that such vehicles are confiscated because they are considered part of the evidence presented in court.

“The law states clearly that anyone trafficking drugs is liable to Life imprisonment, or a minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, depending on the quantity and nature of the drug.” he said.

He added that any vehicle or other means of transport used to commit or facilitate drug trafficking is liable to seizure and forfeiture to the government, saying the bus owners should understand this law, instead of complaining when their vehicles are seized, they will start hiring trustworthy people,” he added.

He urged vehicle owners to employ trustworthy and ethical drivers and bus crews.

According to DCEA, Tanzania has made remarkable progress in its fight against illicit drugs over the past four years, leading to a significant reduction in crime.

The authority attributes this achievement to the strong measures taken by the Sixth-Phase Government, which has enhanced the country’s capacity to combat drug trafficking.

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Before these interventions, Tanzania was a major transit route for international drug trafficking and many Tanzanians were being arrested abroad in connection with drug related offences.

However, under President Samia’s administration, the trend has declined significantly. The government has invested heavily in modern technology, providing advanced equipment to detect illicit substances at airports and border checkpoints.