Revealed: Why women lead in 'super weed' use in Tanzania

This finding emerged during an operation conducted between October and November this year, which led to the seizure of 687.32 kilograms of skanka and one kilogram of hashish in the Goba area of Dar es Salaam. The drugs were hidden in a suspect's house.

"Skanka" is a street name for a type of cannabis with a high level of toxicity (TetraHydroCannabinol - THC) compared to regular cannabis.

This drug is derived from hybrid cannabis cultivation, with 75 percent of it being the sativa strain and 25 percent the indica strain, according to DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Mr Lyimo said their investigation revealed an increase in the use of these drugs following restrictions on previously popular substances.

"In the investigation, which we conducted in various spots, salons and other locations, we discovered that the major users of skanka are women. Some we spoke to, and I personally have spoken with a few women who admitted they use skanka to relieve stress.

"When you listen to their reasons, many struggle to handle stress related to relationship challenges, and they turn to this substance, believing it helps reduce their worries," said Commissioner General Lyimo.

However, Lyimo explained that contrary to users' beliefs that skanka helps reduce stress, the reality is that it leads to addiction and increases the risk of mental health issues.

Addressing this issue, Dr Wallace Karata, a mental health specialist at the Tanga Regional Referral Hospital, said that cannabis use alters brain function and changes the user's behavior.

He said, “There are hidden mental illnesses. It’s possible that a person has a genetic predisposition to mental illness, and using cannabis can trigger it. Skanka’s effects are severe and occur more rapidly.”

In the same operation, 447 milliliters of medicinal drugs with narcotic properties were seized, with 327 milliliters found in a suspect's home in Tabata Kinyerezi, Dar es Salaam.

An additional 120 milliliters of medicinal narcotics containing Codeine were seized at Julius Nyerere International Airport as they were being smuggled out of the country.

"These drugs were illegally brought into the country, falsely labeled as pet grooming products to avoid detection. The seizure of these drugs signals the presence of unregulated use of medicinal narcotics," Lyimo said.

Drug kingpin arrested in Dodoma

In a separate operation, the DCEA arrested two suspects in Dodoma with 393 grams of heroin.

The suspects are Kimwaga Lazaro, 37, and Suleiman Mbaruku, 52, also known as "Nyanda," who is considered the drug trade kingpin in Dodoma.

"Nyanda is known as a key player in the drug trade in Dodoma. We have been tracking him for a long time, and we finally succeeded in arresting him," said Mr Lyimo.

Overall, this operation led to the seizure of 1,066.105 kilograms of drugs, 19,804 liters of precursor chemicals, 447 milliliters of medicinal narcotics, and the arrest of 58 suspects.