DCEA’s fight against drugs reduces crimes in Samia’s four-year leadership

TANZANIA: TANZANIA has made remarkable progress in its fight against illicit drugs over the past four years, leading to a significant reduction in crime.

Mr Aretas Lyimo, Commissioner General of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), attributes this achievement to the strong measures taken by the Sixth-Phase Government, which has enhanced the country’s capacity to combat drug trafficking.

He emphasises the undeniable link between drug abuse and criminal activities, stating that the widespread use of narcotics has long fuelled crimes such as theft, murder and sexual offences.

Before these interventions, Tanzania was a major transit route for international drug trafficking and many Tanzanians were being arrested abroad in connection with drug-related offences.

However, under President Samia’s administration, the trend has declined significantly. The government has invested heavily in modern technology, providing advanced equipment to detect illicit substances at airports and border checkpoints.

This has strengthened enforcement efforts and prevented drugs from entering the country. To enhance its operational efficiency, the DCEA has also established five key enforcement zones across Tanzania.

These zones cover different regions, including the Northern Zone, which comprises Manyara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga, strategically positioned to monitor border crossings. The Lake Zone, encompassing Kagera, Mwanza, Simiyu and Mara, has also reported a significant decline in drugrelated incidents.

Meanwhile, the Central Zone, which includes Dodoma, Singida and Tabora, has been crucial in keeping the capital city drug-free.

The Southern Highlands Zone was specifically set up to intercept drugs being smuggled into the country through its southern borders.

The impact of these measures has been evident, as the reduced availability of narcotics has directly contributed to a decline in criminal activities.

In regions such as Arusha, police reports show that crime rates have dropped by half since drug use decreased.

Mwanza, which once struggled with a heroin epidemic, has also seen a substantial reduction in drug abuse.

Commissioner General Lyimo explains that most criminals are drug users, as narcotics impair their judgment and embolden them to commit offences. He asserts that a staggering 99 per cent of criminals engage in drug use, making the crackdown on illicit substances a crucial step in curbing crime.

Over the past four years, the DCEA has intensified its efforts, leading to the dismantling of seven major drug trafficking networks.

During these operations, authorities arrested seven drug kingpins, five of whom were Tanzanians, while two were foreign nationals.

This marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s war against drugs, as it is the first time such highprofile figures have been apprehended with large quantities of narcotics. One of the most notable achievements came in December 2023, when authorities seized a record-breaking 3,500 kilogrammes of heroin and methamphetamine in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam.

Commissioner General Lyimo describes this as the largest drug bust in Tanzania’s history, highlighting the success of President Samia’s administration in combatting drug trafficking.

The formation of the Southern Highlands Zone has played a key role in intercepting drugs before they enter Tanzania.

This zone was instrumental in the arrest of Holoholo, a notorious drug trafficker who had been evading authorities since 2000. Holoholo was known for smuggling drugs to various countries on a weekly basis and had even been listed as one of the most wanted criminals in the United States. His capture represents a major victory for the government’s efforts to dismantle international drug syndicates operating in Tanzania.

As a result of these intensified operations, Tanzania has witnessed recordbreaking drug seizures. In 2024 alone, authorities confiscated an astonishing 2.327 million kilogrammes of narcotics, equivalent to 2,328 tonnes. This was a significant increase from 2023, when 1,965.34 tonnes of drugs were intercepted—nearly seven times the total amount seized since the DCEA was established in 2017.

Among the confiscated substances, cannabis remained the most frequently seized drug, with 1,757.56 tonnes intercepted. Authorities also seized 202.74 tonnes of khat, 1.31 tonnes of heroin and 3.04 kilogrammes of cocaine.

In addition to these well-known drugs, law enforcement also confiscated emerging illicit substances, including 2.41 metric tonnes of methamphetamine, 423.54 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis (commonly known as “skunk”) and 17 packets of cannabis-infused biscuits weighing a total of 2.04 kilogrammes.

The government has also intensified efforts to prevent the illegal importation of precursor chemicals that could be used to manufacture narcotics. Authorities successfully blocked the smuggling of 157.74 tonnes of such chemicals, further limiting drug production in the country.

Commissioner General Lyimo notes that before 2023, Tanzania had never seized more than one million kilogrammes of drugs in a single year. However, since the government ramped up its anti-drug efforts, the number of intercepted narcotics has increased exponentially.

A historical review of drug seizures in Tanzania reveals a steady increase in enforcement success. In 2022, authorities intercepted 15.2 tonnes of khat, 254.7 kilogrammes of heroin and 1.7 kilogrammes of cocaine. That year also marked the first time that methamphetamine seizures were recorded in Tanzania, with 968.7 grammes confiscated.

Additionally, 56 grammes of mescaline—a hallucinogenic drug not previously encountered in the country—were seized. The year 2021 saw a sharp rise in cannabis seizures, with authorities intercepting 22.74 tonnes, representing a 72 per cent increase compared to 2020. During the same period, law enforcement officers apprehended 9,484 drugrelated suspects.

Tanzania’s commitment to fighting drug abuse extends beyond law enforcement, as the government has also focused on educating the public about the dangers of drug addiction.

In 2022, the country launched its first-ever National Drug Education Guide, designed to provide communities with accurate information about the risks associated with narcotics. Commissioner General Lyimo stresses that raising awareness is just as important as cracking down on drug traffickers, as it helps prevent young people from falling into the trap of substance abuse.

As Tanzania continues its relentless battle against drug trafficking, authorities remain committed to strengthening enforcement measures and enhancing international cooperation.

The progress made over the past four years serves as a testament to the government’s dedication to creating a safer, drug-free society. Commissioner General Lyimo praises President Samia’s unwavering support in this fight, stating that her vision is to rid Tanzania of drug-related crimes once and for all.

The efforts undertaken so far have already had a profound impact, not only in reducing drug availability but also in lowering crime rates across the country. As the government intensifies its war on drugs, Tanzania is steadily moving toward a future where communities can thrive without the devastating effects of narcotics.