DCEA: drugs made from precursor chemicals now fully under control
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has announced that it has completely contained the production of illegal drugs manufactured locally using imported dangerous precursor chemicals.
Precursor chemicals are compounds that take part in chemical reactions to form other substances, and while they are essential for legitimate industrial use, they can also be diverted for illicit drug production.
DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the authority has successfully dismantled networks that previously produced such drugs, which had a devastating impact on young people.
“We have managed to completely control drugs manufactured from precursor chemicals in the country,” said Commissioner General Lyimo. He, however, cautioned motorcycle riders (bodaboda) to remain vigilant, warning that drug traffickers were using them to unknowingly transport parcels of illegal substances, exposing them to serious legal risks.
Outlining the achievements of operations conducted between September and October this year, Commissioner General Lyimo said the authority seized 10,763.94 kilogrammes of various narcotic drugs, along with 6,007 kilogrammes and 153 litres of precursor chemicals, during coordinated operations across the country.
A total of 89 suspects were arrested in connection with these offences.
In Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, DCEA officers intercepted 40.32 kilogrammes of dried khat (mirungi) that had been disguised and packaged as spices for export to Canada and Italy. The contraband was found in 80 packets labelled “dry basil leaves.” The suspects arrested in relation to this case were Yusuph Kibaha (35) and Mohamed Ramadhan (41).
Investigations revealed that the drugs had been smuggled into Tanzania from a neighbouring country and channelled through courier companies. Further inquiries uncovered a smuggling network that uses bodaboda riders and establishes close ties with courier agents to facilitate illicit shipments without raising suspicion.
In another operation conducted in Mlalakuwa, Kinondoni District, four suspects Bright Malisa (26), Humphrey Safari (26), Novatus Kileo (26), and Chriss P. Mandoza (26) — were arrested for allegedly making marijuana cookies intended for a university students’ house party.
The suspects were found with 140 marijuana cookies, eight joints, and nine packets of cannabis weighing a total of 2.858 kilogrammes.
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Additionally, through joint operations with other security agencies in Morogoro, Simiyu, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Tanga, Coast, Shinyanga, Ruvuma, Tabora, and Mtwara, authorities seized 9,164.92 kilogrammes of cannabis, 1,555.46 kilogrammes of khat, 367 grammes of skunk, and 7.498 grammes of heroin, and destroyed 11.5 acres of cannabis farms.
The DCEA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Tanzania remains safe and free from drug trafficking and abuse, warning that tough legal action will be taken against anyone involved in narcotics activities.
