TZ enters agreements with chemicalproducing nations to combat drugs
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has entered into agreements with major chemical-producing countries to control dangerous precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illicit drugs.
This was revealed in Dar es Salaam yesterday by the Commissioner General of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), Aretas Lyimo, who led the Tanzanian delegation to the 39th International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC39), held from August 26–28 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
According to Commissioner General Lyimo, Tanzania also engaged in discussions with countries producing the Kratom plant, used to manufacture a new drug known as Mitragyna Speciosa and agreed on ways to strengthen cooperation in controlling the substance, which is listed as a dangerous narcotic even in those countries.
Among the achievements at IDEC39 was a new agreement with the global body INL, which pledged to support the DCEA with advanced forensic intelligence equipment.
In addition, a bilateral meeting between Commissioner General Lyimo and his Nigerian counterpart, Brig Gen Muhammad Buba Marwa of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), resulted in a commitment to fasttrack cooperation between Tanzania and Nigeria in the fight against drug trafficking.
Tanzania’s participation in the conference also highlighted the success of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts to strengthen international relations and enhance the country’s capacity to combat drug-related crime.
Her government has consistently prioritised regional and global cooperation in tackling illicit drugs, signing agreements that enable Tanzania to access modern technologies and best practices in law enforcement.
Under President Samia’s leadership, the government has increased investment in forensic intelligence, border control and digital monitoring systems to detect and prevent drug trafficking. Her administration has also expanded training programmes for DCEA officers and strengthened partnerships with private and public stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the illicit drug trade.
Additionally, the government has implemented nationwide campaigns aimed at raising awareness among youth and communities about the dangers of drug abuse, alongside stricter enforcement of existing drug laws.
These efforts form part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health, promote social stability and ensure that Tanzanians can participate fully in national development, in line with the National Development Vision 2050.
The IDEC39 meeting, themed “Global Cooperation for a Safer Future,” focused on emerging challenges in the illicit drug trade, transnational organised crime and money laundering. It also included specialised workshops on modern technologies to combat drug trafficking.
“This event has reinforced IDEC’s role as a key platform for fostering cooperation and exchanging strategies among global drug control agencies in efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and production,” said Mr Lyimo.
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He added that Tanzania gained valuable insights from countries manufacturing modern detection equipment, which will strengthen control and security at the country’s borders.
Participants emphasised the need to invest in scientific and technological capacities, as new synthetic drugs increasingly bypass traditional control mechanisms. The conference also highlighted the importance of addressing drug trafficking on digital platforms and engaging private sector partners to curb the trade.
