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Authorities in the Arusha region have uncovered a hidden cannabis cultivation operation inside a private home.
The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) arrested an individual suspected of growing cannabis seedlings in his residence, signaling a new method being used to evade law enforcement.
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was found with over 200 cannabis seedlings that he had been cultivating in containers and plastic cups in a dedicated space within his home on Kijenge Street, Moshono Ward. This discovery sheds light on the increasingly sophisticated ways that individuals are attempting to bypass detection and continue illegal activities.
Aretas Lyimo, the Commissioner General of DCEA, spoke about the challenges of uncovering such operations. “Detecting indoor cultivation like this is not easy,” Lyimo explained. “Without specific intelligence, it would have been almost impossible to identify this operation.”
The investigation into this case started after authorities received a tip-off about suspicious activity. After gathering enough information, DCEA officials conducted surveillance on the property before raiding the home. Inside, they found cannabis seedlings growing in controlled indoor conditions, which is a method that allows cultivators to avoid being detected by traditional outdoor farming surveillance.
This arrest is just one part of a larger effort by the DCEA to combat illegal drug activities across the country. In recent months, the agency has made significant strides in cracking down on illicit drug cultivation and trafficking. From January to February 2025, the DCEA seized over 790 kilograms of various drugs, including cannabis, across multiple regions of Tanzania, including Mwanza, Mbeya, and Dar es Salaam.
Earlier this month, the DCEA also dismantled a large cannabis operation in Dodoma, destroying 336 acres of cannabis farms in the Ikome Forest Reserve. These farms had been carefully hidden among legitimate crops to evade detection.
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Lyimo expressed concern over the growing use of indoor cultivation as a method of hiding illegal drug farming. “This shows how those involved in these activities are constantly adapting to avoid being caught,” he said. “It’s clear that we need to work smarter and continue to strengthen our intelligence efforts, alongside community support, to stay ahead.”
The DCEA continues to encourage Tanzanians to stay alert and report any suspicious activity related to drug production. As authorities ramp up their efforts to stop illegal farming, they stress the importance of community cooperation in tackling the problem.
With these ongoing operations, the government is showing its commitment to protecting Tanzanians from the harmful effects of illegal drug activities. This latest bust in Arusha is just a reminder of the ever-evolving methods criminals use to operate, and the need for continued vigilance to keep ahead of them.
