Tanzania’s anti-narcotics authorities seized 22.74 metric tons of cannabis between January 2021 and December 2021, a cabinet minister said Friday.
George Simbachawene, the minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs and Coordination, said the seizure of the drugs was alarmingly high.
Simbachawene told a news conference in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, that a total of 9,474 suspects were arrested in connection with the production of cannabis, supply and use.
“Cannabis is among drugs that are affecting the country’s workforce as those who are found using them are aged between 15 to 40 years,” he said.
According to Simbachawene, 1.13 metric tons of heroin and 811.30 grams of cocaine were seized by the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority in collaboration with other security organs during the period under review.
He said about 905,902 drug addicts were treated in 2021 in the district and regional hospitals in the country.
Gerald Kusaya, the commissioner-general of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority, said the war against drugs was still a big challenge, promising to beef up the fight in collaboration with other security agencies, including the police. Enditem
