DAR ES SALAAM: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), in collaboration with other security organs, has intercepted and seized an 8-tonne capacity dhow used for transporting drugs along the coast of Indian Ocean.
Impounded in Dar es Salaam during the operation carried out last December, the Pakistan-registered dhow was found with 448.3 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine and Heroin.
“This big dhow has been supplying drugs to the countries along the Indian Ocean for the past twenty-eight years,” said DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo when speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.
Commissioner General Lyimo noted that the seized drug haul in the dhow belonged to eight Pakistan nationals.
During the operation, the authorities also impounded other 224.9 kilogrammes of the narcotics on the beaches of the Dar es Salaam city.
Detailing on the successes recorded in the fight against the illicit drugs in the year 2024, Mr Lyimo pointed out that they managed to seize 2.3 million kilogrammes (2,300 tonnes) of drugs.
“This is the biggest amount ever seized since the authority was established,” he said, noting that in 2023 the authority impounded 1.9 million (1,900 tonnes) kilogrammes of drugs.
The marijuana accounted for huge amount compared to other types of drugs seized in 2024, followed by Methamphetamine, Heroin and Fentanyl.
“This efficiency in impounding the drugs is a result of operations conducted in various areas in our country including the Indian Ocean through which drugs have been smuggled in large quantity,” he explained.
On the other hand, the government has continued to ensure that the public is protected against effects of drugs.
In 2024, at least 28 people were reached out for awareness education about the effects of the narcotics.
In efforts to expand medical services to drug addicts, the government in collaboration with development stakeholders, increased two more Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinics in the Coast and Tanga regions, bringing a total number of such facilities to 18 in the country.
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These centres have been registered and serve a total of 18,170 drug addicts.
Also, six more sober houses have been built, hence making a total of 62 sober houses countrywide, serving 17,230 drug addicts.
“These achievements are due to huge investment in the intervention services by the sixth phase government”.
Mr Lyimo said that assessment on the availability of drugs in the country shows that the Heroin availability has decreased, hence forcing the addicts to use the Methadone for treatment.
He said the year 2025, the authority will focus on strenthening control of drugs through strong international collaboration and the use of modern technology in tracking networks of drug dealers.
