Joseph Isangura
A sweeping anti-narcotics campaign in Tanzania has resulted in one of the largest seizures in recent years, with authorities confiscating more than 33,000 kilograms of illicit drugs, thousands of cannabis seeds, and the destruction of sprawling cannabis plantations covering over 64 acres.
The operation, which stretched from July to early September, also uncovered hidden weapons, vehicles, and motorcycles used in trafficking. Nearly 1,000 suspects were taken into custody, sending a strong signal that the country is intensifying its fight against organized crime.
Among the most high-profile arrests was a dramatic raid in Manzese, an urban district of Dar es Salaam. There, three men—including a Lebanese national—were found with 2.4 kilograms of cocaine, reportedly smuggled from Brazil through regional transit routes in Kenya and Uganda. The case highlights how international drug networks continue to exploit East Africa as a strategic corridor.
Authorities also exposed a troubling new trend: cannabis-laced e-cigarettes. In nightclubs and entertainment venues in Temeke and Masaki, officers seized 50 cartridges containing THC and harmful chemicals such as lead and mercury. Health experts warn that such products can cause serious long-term damage, from impaired brain development to cancer, particularly among young people drawn to vaping culture.
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The crackdown has not been limited to the capital. In northern Tanzania’s Mara Region, police arrested a suspected kingpin with a staggering 6.5 tonnes of cannabis, while in Mbeya, two individuals were caught baking and distributing cannabis-infused biscuits. Meanwhile, in Dar es Salaam, customs officers intercepted khat disguised as tea packages in courier shipments, proving that traffickers are constantly innovating to outwit law enforcement.
Another startling case involved an American citizen and his Tanzanian wife, who were arrested at Bahari Beach with ketamine and cannabis in their possession. Investigators believe the couple was linked to a network supplying narcotics to wealthy clients in the city’s upscale neighborhoods.
What stands out in this series of operations is not just the sheer scale of drugs intercepted, but also the variety of smuggling methods—ranging from farmland plantations to trendy vaping cartridges and even baked goods. Authorities say the crackdown reflects a broader strategy to dismantle both the supply networks and the consumer market.
