Authorities destroy 336 acres of cannabis

DODOMA: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), in collaboration with security and other law enforcement agencies, has destroyed a total of 336 acres of cannabis farms inside the Ikome reserve area, in Kondoa District, Dodoma Region.

Speaking in the capital city recently, DCEA Commissioner General Mr Aretas Lyimo revealed that a recent successful operation in the area also led to the seizure of 148 kilogrammes of khat.

The commissioner said that the perpetrators had mixed the destroyed marijuana with other crops to conceal their illegal farming activities in the area.

“This is the first major operation conducted in Dodoma, revealing that cannabis farming activities are becoming increasingly common in this region. We will continue taking stern measures to ensure that the production, trade and use of illicit drugs are effectively contained,” insisted the DCEA boss.

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From January to February this year, Commissioner Lyimo said, DCEA’s zonal offices seized a total of 790.528 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs in Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Mtwara and Dar es Salaam.

He noted that more cannabis farms had been destroyed, with 114 suspects arrested for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

During an operation in Dar es Salaam, three suspects were apprehended with 32.16 kilogrammes of super weed, commonly known as ‘skanka,’ according to the anti-narcotics authority chief.

He said that five more suspects were arrested with 5.1 kilogrammes of heroin and five litres of caffeine anhydrous pure, a chemical used in the production of illicit drugs.