DAR ES SALAAM: The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has seized over 1,066 kilograms of illicit drugs across the country.
A total of 58 suspects were apprehended in a nationwide crackdown conducted by the anti-narcotics body throughout October and November.
A press statement issued by DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday detailed the operation, which also involved the destruction of 157.4 acres of marijuana farms and the confiscation of 19,804 liters of precursor chemicals used in drug processing.
According to the DCEA chief, the authority seized 687.32 kilograms of marijuana, including skunk, and a kilo of hashish hidden in a suspect’s home in the Goba area of Dar es Salaam.
The Commissioner General also noted that skunk, an especially potent form of cannabis, is increasingly being used by women, reportedly to relieve stress and for leisure.
“Skunk is a dangerous form of marijuana with high toxicity levels. It’s made from a potent mix of cannabis flowers and seed oil, producing harmful chemicals when smoked that can quickly induce severe mental health issues. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often mistaken as signs of witchcraft,” he stated.
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He added that during airport security checks at Julius Nyerere International Airport, DCEA intercepted 120 milliliters of codeine, a narcotic drug intended for illegal export.
Additional seizures included 327 milliliters of codeine recovered from a suspect’s residence in Dar es Salaam region, disguised with false labeling as pet shampoo to avoid detection.
Among the 58 suspects, two—identified as Suleiman Mbaruku Suleiman (52) and Kimwaga Msobi Lazaro (37), both residents of Kinyali in Dodoma—were arrested in possession of 393 grams of heroin.
Furthermore, regional operations led to the seizure of 303.553 kilograms of marijuana, 103.8 grams of heroin, and 63 kilograms of khat in various locations nationwide.
“The DCEA urges citizens to continue supporting these efforts by reporting drug dealers and discouraging drug use within communities,” he urged.
