DAR ES SALAAM: The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), in collaboration with other agencies, has seized a total of 2,207.56 kilograms of narcotics and medicinal drugs containing narcotic properties in the Tanga and Dar es Salaam regions.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam on Monday, DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo stated that, apart from the seizure, they had also arrested seven suspects currently in custody in connection with the drugs.
The Commissioner General further explained that among the seized drugs were 1,500.6 kilograms of cannabis (skunk), 687.76 kilograms of methamphetamine, 19.20 kilograms of heroin, and ten bottles of fentanyl-based medicinal drugs.
According to Commissioner Lyimo, two of the suspects, identified as Mohamed Suleiman Bakar (40) and Sullesh Said Mhailoh (36), both residents of Mabibo, Dar es Salaam, were arrested on November 14, 2024, with 1,350.4 kilograms of cannabis (skunk). The drugs were hidden in a rented house used as a warehouse, while others were found inside a Nissan Juke with registration number T 534 EJC, ready for distribution.
He further noted that, on the same day, the authority arrested another suspect, Iddy Mohamed Iddy (46), in Pweza Sinza E Street with 150.2 kilograms of cannabis (skunk).
The drugs were hidden in soap cartons, with some concealed inside a metal box attached to the chassis of a South African-registered Scania truck (registration number LN87XJGP), which had been used to transport goods from abroad.
Moreover, the Commissioner revealed that other suspects were arrested on November 17 in Tanga City, around Mwakibila Street, with 706.96 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine. Some of the drugs were found inside a Toyota Noah with registration number T 714 EGX, while others were discovered hidden in a house rented by one of the suspects.
The suspects were identified as Ally Kassim Ally (52) and Fahadi Ally Kassim (36).
The DCEA Commissioner General urged landlords to exercise caution when renting out their properties, as some tenants with malicious intent might use the premises to store drugs. He emphasized that the law empowers the authority to confiscate any house or vehicle found to contain narcotics.
“Therefore, homeowners and vehicle owners must be vigilant about their properties. Many drug traffickers have been renting houses to store narcotics while residing elsewhere,” he warned.
