3 held over attempt to ferry drugs via DHL

POLICE in Dar es Salaam are holding a Tanzanian and two Nigerians who were trying to transport a half kilogram of suspected narcotic drugs through a courier firm, DHL, to Liberia.

The Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Mr Suleiman Kova, told a news conference in the city that the suspects packed the drugs in text book covers.

They were arrested on Tuesday at the DHL offices at the Mlimani City Shopping Mall. Mr Kova named the suspects as Nigerian nationals Sunday Nnabufae Chaidikaobi (42) and Franklin Anochili Indubusi (41); and a Tanzanian woman, Hadija Ngoma (43), all residents of Kimara Temboni in the city.

The trio was arrested after the police were tipped off by informers who reported the presence of the suspects who were preparing to hand over a parcel containing three English language text books, in which they have concealed the drugs to the courier services firm ready for transportation to some destination.

Commissioner of Police Kova also reported that the suspects confessed to designing more sophisticated ways to smuggle drugs out of the country, after security agencies had stepped up surveillance to net traffickers.

He said the value and types of drugs is not yet known until the government chemist is through with the checks. The suspects will be charged to the court of law after the investigation has been completed.

Meanwhile, Mr Kova confirmed that police are holding two businessmen of Indian origin, Adil Yusuf (24) and Mehul Kava (24), both residents of Kariakoo, over their involvement in the kidnapping of children of a businessman, Mr Aunally Jaffer.

“The suspects planned to kidnap the businessman’s two daughters, Shamima Aunally and Halifa Aunally, with the intention of asking for a 500m/- ransom to release the children,’’ he said.

Mr Kova reported that the suspects were arrested while preparing to finalise their mission, but ended in a police trap at Jet Lumo in Dar es Salaam.

The suspects confessed to committing the crime, according to the police commander.

Mr Kova said police are investigating the incident before handing them over to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal action. The children have since been returned home.

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