Dar es Salaam: Police issue stern warning against drug dealers

BY GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY CORRESPONDENT.

Head of the Anti Drugs Unit (ADU), Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP), Godfrey Nzowa has warned individuals involved in drugs business, stating that their properties would be confiscated if found guilty before the court.

He told The Guardian on Sunday this week that despite efforts made to fight trafficking and peddling of drugs, the illegal business still flourishes in the country. The government is drafting a new Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament this year to step up war against the offense, he said.

The current anti-drugs law is known as The Drugs and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Drugs Act No. 9 of 1995, which the police commissioner said is not adequate given the changing environment and nature of the war against the vice.

Nzowa said government’s anti-drugs units will now target border as crossings, airports and other similar places are where trafficking and peddling of drugs is conducted.

November last year the government presented an annual report on drugs, revealing that cases of drugs trafficking appeared to be on the increase with the number of drugs abusers going up as well.

The statistics issued showed that in 2011 the anti-drugs unit impounded a total of 264.3 kilogrammes of heroine involving 20 suspects compared to 185.8 kilogrammes impounded in 2010 involving 15 suspects.

As for cocaine, a total of 126 kilogrammes were seized in the same year compared to 63 kilogrammes impounded in 2010.

Nzowa said sometimes drugs are sold in the in Dar es Salaam, mainly Mafia and Mizizini streets and called on good Samaritans to help the police by identifying drugs dealers’ hideouts in the fight against the crime.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY (31/03/2013): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=52963