Five arrested with over 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis
DAR ES SALAAM: The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has seized 1,815 kilograms of skunk, a potent form of cannabis, following special operations conducted in two different parts of Dar es Salaam.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the narcotics in Luguruni Mbezi and Magomeni, located on the outskirts of the city.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo revealed that the operation was carried out between August 28 and September 2, 2024.
Among the arrested suspects are Richard Henry Mwanri (47), a businessman and resident of Mbezi Makonde, and Felista Henry Mwanri (70), a farmer from Luguruni Mbezi, who owned the house where the drugs were found.
Other suspects include Athumani Koja Mohamed (58), a businessman from Tanga, Omary Chande Mohamed (32), a bajaji driver from Buza, and Juma Abdallah Chapa (36), a resident of Kiwalani in Dar es Salaam.
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized a vehicle, a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number T 551 CAB, and a bajaji with registration number MC 844 CZV.
“Richard Mwanri has been involved in receiving narcotics from various countries and smuggling them into Tanzania, hidden among other goods in vehicles. These drugs were then distributed to dealers across the country,” said Lyimo.
He added that there has been a notable increase in the seizure of skunk in Tanzania recently.
Skunk is a highly processed form of marijuana with elevated levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a toxic chemical that can damage the nervous system, impair mental health, and cause non-communicable diseases such as heart, kidney, and liver disorders.
ALSO READ: Mwinyi emphasises commitment in battle against illicit drugs
The use of skunk by pregnant women can also negatively affect the development of the unborn child, leading to brain damage and low birth weight.
A World Drug Report released in Vienna on June 26, 2024, indicated that in regions where marijuana use has been legalized, the production of cannabis products with high THC levels has increased.
The report also noted a rise in people seeking treatment for cannabis-related issues, as well as an increase in mental health problems and suicide attempts in these regions.
The DCEA is urging citizens to support the fight against drug trafficking by reporting those involved in the illegal drug trade and encouraging communities to avoid drug use and trafficking.
