DCEA operation destroys 535 hectares of khat in Same

THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has destroyed 535 hectares of khat farms in Kilimanjaro Region in the past one week.

The special operation dubbed ‘Tokomeza Mirungi’ (destroy khats) was carried out in four villages of Rikweni, Heikondi, Tae and Mahande in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The operation was conducted jointly with the other law enforcement organs, including the Police Force.

DCEA Commissioner General, Aretas Lyimo said during the operation, a total of seven suspects were arrested.

He said the authority has camped in the region for the operation, only to make sure that the illicit drugs dealings end once and for all, noting that the operation destroyed such size of Khat farms between July 2-9 this year.

“I thank all who collaborate with us in this operation, let us ask citizens to quit this illegal activity as directed by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he stated.

“We were surprised to see this huge size of land on which khat is cultivated. This forced us also to deploy National Services (JKT) commands to conduct operation,” DCEA Commissioner General added.

Meanwhile, residents of Rikweni, Heikondi, Tae and Mahande villages in the mountain range of Same District, Kilimanjaro Region have vowed to abandon Khat growing and turn to other economic activities.

The villagers further appealed to the government to train them on cultivating alternative food and cash crops.

Speaking here recently, the villagers argued that their surroundings were endowed with fertile land; hence they were ready to drop growing the natural illegal substance.

“A great number of villagers in these areas have turned Khat farming into a lucrative business, but we want to change that narrative,” explained Elisante Senkondo.

Pastor Senkondo, who hails from Rikweni Village, thanked the government for condemning the business.

“As the clergy, we will continue engaging our congregants to make do without the business,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Janeth Sarambo, a teacher at Rikweni Primary School admitted that many villagers had been affected through chewing of Khat.

“Khat has dealt our people devastating effects, we appeal to the government to deploy extension officers to train us on agriculture,” said Ms Sarambo.

According to the teacher, the areas highly favour farming of food and cash crops such as Banana, Maize and Beans.

Khat is an evergreen shrub habitually ingested for its euphoric and stimulatory effects.

It has also has severe effects on its users including migraine, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, lung problems, liver damage, changes in sex drive, and erection dysfunction.

Chewing Khat leaves has also led to infections that can cause problems such as pain below the ribs, changes in white blood cells, and an enlarged liver.

The crop is grown in the Middle East, Somalia, East Africa and Ethiopia.

However, in Tanzania it is illegal to cultivate and chew Khat, which is popularly referred to as Mirungi.

The government, through the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) recently launched a special operation to destroy all khat farms.

Dubbed Tokomeza Mirungi, the operation has seen law enforcers uprooting the plants, which are classified as narcotics.

According to Section 11 of Drugs Control and Enforcement Act 2014, anyone caught cultivating Khat pays a 20m/- fine or serves 30 years in jail.

Furthermore, the Act provides a punishment of up to life imprisonment for anyone found with drugs, including Khat.