DAR ES SALAAM: THE Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has finalized the creation of a comprehensive database containing the names of all drug kingpins operating in and out of the country for tracking purposes.
In a press briefing held on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo announced significant progress in their efforts against narcotics, including the identification and tracking of major drug dealers.
“The authority has completed the database of prominent drug dealers and has initiated investigations into these individuals.
Many operate within our borders, while others conduct their activities from abroad,” stated Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo.
Moreover, the DCEA has apprehended a resident of Manzese in Dar es Salaam who is suspected of manufacturing ‘heroin’ by combining medicinal drugs with expired hazardous chemicals, posing severe health risks to consumers.
Commissioner General Aretas provided further details on the arrested individual, identified as 54-yearold Shaban Adam, who was found in possession of 19,000 litres of expired hazardous chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs. Mr. Adam was arrested on June 11th while actively producing what he claimed to be heroin.
“He confessed to transporting these narcotics disguised as parcels on intercity buses to various destinations, particularly major cities,” Commissioner General Aretas revealed.
“These illicit substances, a concoction of medicinal drugs and hazardous chemicals, pose serious health risks including cardiac diseases, kidney failure, cancer, liver damage, mental illnesses, and addiction,” he added.
The suspect disclosed to DCEA officials that he had previously engaged in similar activities abroad and had served as a drug mule before continuing his criminal activities upon returning to Tanzania.
Mr. Adam resorted to local production after the DCEA successfully dismantled several drug smuggling networks, resulting in shortages of illegal substances in the market.
“This counterfeit heroin has contributed to significant health concerns among users, including fatal incidents,” Commissioner General Aretas emphasized.
Furthermore, due to effective regional and international cooperation, DCEA officers detained Tanzanian Ndoba Issa at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura, Burundi. Mr. Issa was attempting to transport 3.8kg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), locally known as ‘Skanka,’ to Dubai.
Commenting on the health implications of illegal drugs made from expired chemicals, Professor Mohamed Janabi, Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), underscored their dangers.
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“At Muhimbili, we conduct dialysis for 150 patients daily. Misuse of medicinal drugs in producing counterfeit illegal drugs is a significant contributor to such health conditions,” Professor Janabi warned.
“I urge journalists to raise public awareness, and as health stakeholders, we must continue educating the public,” he concluded.