DCEA seizes tonnes Amb Stephen Patrick Mbundi at Chamwino State House in Dodoma, yesterday. (Photo by State House) of narcotics, dismantles emerging drug networks

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has seized nearly two tonnes of illicit drugs and arrested 77 suspects in a nationwide crackdown conducted in March this year, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle emerging trafficking networks, particularly those involving khat.

Speaking during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam yesterday, DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo said the authority confiscated a total of 1,983.31 kilogrammes of various narcotic drugs during the operations.

In addition, authorities intercepted 3,012.5 kilogrammes and 17,960 litres of precursor chemicals, alongside 286 tablets and 1,001 bottles of controlled medicinal drugs with addictive properties.

Mr Lyimo noted that enforcement teams also destroyed 55.5 acres of cannabis farms, while seizing nine motor vehicles, 12 motorcycles and one three-wheeler (bajaji) linked to drug trafficking activities.

Analysis of the seizures indicates a sharp increase in the trafficking of khat, with 1,267.12 kilogrammes confiscated, equivalent to 64 per cent of all drugs seized in March.

“This trend reflects our strategic shift towards combating rural-based drug networks, following significant progress in curbing industrialscale narcotics operations,” Commissioner General Lyimo explained.

He said traffickers are increasingly adopting new methods to evade detection, prompting the authority to expand surveillance and intelligence-led operations across regions.

In Dar es Salaam, officers intercepted 101.2 kilogrammes of khat at Tegeta Kibo, concealed in a passenger bus belonging to Abood Company travelling from Mombasa, Kenya, to Dar es Salaam.

The drugs had been hidden in various compartments, including within the air conditioning system.

Five suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, including the driver and conductor.

In Coast Region, authorities seized 419.09 kilogrammes of khat en route to Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, in Mwanza Region, 52 kilogrammes were intercepted at Magu roadblock and Mwanza South Port, concealed among second-hand clothes in a Fuso truck.

The driver, a resident of Nyamagana, was arrested. In a separate operation in Misungwi District, officers recovered 184.9 kilogrammes of khat from a residence and vehicles, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

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Several vehicles used in the operation were also confiscated. In Tanga Region, 32.95 kilogrammes of khat were discovered hidden in a sack mixed with mangoes, resulting in the arrest of a local government leader. Additional operations in the region led to the seizure of 164.01 kilogrammes.

Similarly, in Arusha Region, 106.25 kilogrammes were intercepted in Longido District, with two suspects, including a ward councilor, arrested. Other seizures in the region amounted to 138.42 kilogrammes.

In Kilimanjaro Region, 68.3 kilogrammes were confiscated in Himo and Same areas, with two suspects taken into custody.

Alongside khat, authorities also recorded significant seizures of other drugs. In Dar es Salaam, 141 packets of cannabis (skunk) were recovered from a student hostel in Kijitonyama, raising concerns over the presence of drug trade activities near learning institutions.

The hostel manager was arrested after the drugs were found in his room. In Songwe Region, 8.2 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis were seized in Tunduma from a suspect travelling towards Mbeya.

Overall, 707.995 kilogrammes of cannabis were confiscated in various operations across the country.

Mr Lyimo said the authority, in collaboration with other regulatory agencies, also conducted inspections of companies dealing in precursor chemicals, pharmaceutical outlets, courier services and inland container depots.