DAR ES SALAAM: THREE residents of Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam were on Friday arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court charged with trafficking over 882.7 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine, weighing 2167.29 kilograms.
The trio were among the seven individuals, who had been arrested by Tanzania Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) after seizing the largest drug bust during a special operation conducted in Iringa and Dar es Salaam regions between December 5 and 23 this year.
Following the operation, DCEA seized 3,182 kg of heroin and methamphetamine hidden in coffee and tea packages.
The accused are Najim Mohamed (52), Maryam Mohamed (50), and the house help Juma Abbas (37).
Before the Principal Resident Magistrate (PRM), Aaron Lyamuya, the prosecution led by the Senior State Attorney, Hemed Halfan, informed the court that investigations into the matter have not been completed.
He also refused to accept any plea from the accused because the case is being tried by the High Court.
The Kisutu Resident Magistrates Court only conducts a preliminary hearing before the case is taken over by the High Court.
He, therefore, requested an adjournment pending further investigations.
The magistrate granted the request and adjourned the matter to January 11, next year.
They were remanded in custody, as those accused of drug trafficking do not get bail.
According to the prosecution, in the first charge, it is alleged that on December 15 this year, at Kibugumo, Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam, the accused persons were found trafficking in narcotic drugs, namely heroin weighing 882.71 kilograms.
In the second charge, it is alleged that on the aforementioned date and place, the accused were found transporting methamphetamine drugs weighing 2167 kilograms.
On Wednesday DCEA announced that it has seized 3,182 kilogrammes of heroin and methamphetamine, marking the largest drug bust in Tanzania’s history.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam, DCEA Commissioner General, Aretas Lyimo revealed that the drugs crackdown operation took place from December 5 to 23 of this year.
Lyimo disclosed that the seized drugs consisted of 2,180.29 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 1001.71 kilograms of heroin.
“This is the largest drug haul in Tanzania’s history since the beginning of drug control activities. All the suspects arrested are part of major drug trafficking networks that are monitored both domestically and globally,” he declared.
