HOW DRUG TRAFFICKING TAINTED TANZANIA'S CLEAN IMAGE IN 2013

A user is helped to a dose of an illegal drug. Head of Anti Drugs Unit Godfrey Nzowa says the low seizure of drugs this year, compared to 2012, could be explained by the successful prevention strategies, both local and international..   PHOTO | SONGA WA SONGA. 

Dar es Salaam. The second half of 2013 has seen a heightened war against drug trafficking, thanks to a letter by a young Tanzanian jailed in Hong Kong that renewed public pressure for authorities to act.
It all started after the prisoner, who claimed to have been recruited as a courier, named, in his handwritten letter, 12, suspected drug barons including an MP and pleaded with young Tanzanians to be on the lookout.

His narration in July of how he was recruited and the suffering of young Tanzanians in Chinese and Hong Kong jails over drug trade infuriated many.

Initially circulated in social media, the letter gave local newspapers ground to constantly put authorities on the spot over the escalating business that turned the country into a notorious transit point for heroin and cocaine.

Unhappy with criticism, President Jakaya Kikwete led a renewed campaign to fight the drug trade. He demanded to know the number of drug-related cases pending in courts and what they were doing to end public perception that enough was not being done to fight drug trafficking.

A number of high-profile consultations including a meeting between the presidential task force on drug and top officials from the judiciary, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the anti drugs unit on how to implement President Kikwete’s demands were held.

The judiciary was also widely accused of lethargy, with some drug cases dragging on for years. Principal Judge Fakihi Jundu told journalists in August that improper investigations by the Police and poor presentation of evidence by prosecutors was mainly to blame for the situation, and not the courts.

Another incident that signaled intensity in the war against drug was the arrest in South Africa of Agnes Gerald, 25, also known as Masogange, and 24-year-old Melisa Edward with 180 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth about Sh7 billion.

After a two-month stint in South African jails, a South African court found Masogange guilty of smuggling Ephedrine or Precursor, a substance used to make drugs, and fined her R15000 (about Sh2.5 million).

Edward was set free after the court heard that she had just accompanied Masogange. The SA drug seizure acted as a catalyst in the fight against drug trafficking in Tanzania, particularly at the main airport.

Transport minister Harrison Mwakyembe took charge and pushed for results from those under his watch.

 Inspector General of Police Said Mwema recalled head of airport police Deusdedith Kato.

Since then, a record number of suspected drug dealers have been arrested at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Coordination and Parliament, William Lukuvi, hinted that the government was proposing a Prevention and Combating of Corruption Burea (PCCB)-like agency to scale up the war on drug use.

He said the new agency would be independent of the police and will have powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute suspected drug dealers.

Mr Lukuvi also revealed that 247 Tanzanians were being held in different countries over involvement in drug trafficking between 2008 and July, this year. Statistics show that this year police seized about 60kgs of heroin and 26kgs of cocaine. The number is however, substantially low compared to last year when 260 kgs of heroin and 151 of cocaine were seized. 

Head of Anti Drugs Unit (ADU) Godfrey Nzowa says the low seizure of drugs this year could be explained by the successful prevention strategies, both local and international.

“This year the prevention has been more successful compared to the last two years. Huge quantities of drugs which were destined for countries in East Africa have been seized in high seas,” Mr Nzowa said.

He spoke of some 1,400kgs of heroin which were seized in the sea this year, saying they are now targeting prevention through pro-active approach.

“The strategy now is to seize the drugs before they get into the market,” he said.

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