editor
The Tanzania Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has seized 3,182 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine during a special mission it conducted in Dar es Salaam and Iringa region between December 5 and 23 this year.
Seven individuals including two Asians were nabbed during the groundbreaking operation.
Aretas Lyimo, DCEA Commissioner General told a press conference in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday the seized contraband comprises 2,180.29 kilos of methamphetamine and 1,001.71 kilos of heroin. They were recovered from Kigamboni, Ubungo, and Kinondoni Districts in Dar es Salaam, as well as Iringa District in the Iringa Region.
“This is a historic arrest,” he said. “It marks a historic milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to combat drug-related activities.”
According to Lyimo the suspects are linked to one of the largest international drug networks under surveillance.
In a surprising twist, it was revealed that the seized drugs were cleverly concealed within product packaging, specifically containers masquerading as various brands of coffee and tea leaves.
The new arrest comes barely six months after the same authority seized another largest illicit drug consignment, including 200.5 kilograms of heroin, in a massive crackdown in four regions.
The seized drugs also included 68,460 kilograms of dried cannabis, 382,550 kilograms of raw cannabis, and 1.5 kilograms of processed cannabis. There were 531.43 grams of methamphetamine, 3,878 pellets of heroin, 138 pellets of cocaine and 3,840 milliliters of pethidine.
