Tanzania tackling the seaborne surge of drugs in the Indian Ocean

Tanzania's Drug Control and Enforcement Agency (DCEA) faces a formidable challenge: a network of drug traffickers using the Indian Ocean to smuggle heroin into Africa.

Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo sheds light on this hidden war and the agency's strategies to combat it.

Waves of Boats, Hidden Cargo: For years, DCEA has observed a seasonal surge of boats anchoring near Tanzania's border.

These seemingly ordinary fishing vessels, armed with permits, conceal a sinister secret - hidden compartments laden with heroin, ready to be distributed across the continent.

Each boat, Lyimo estimates, can carry a staggering 1,000 kilograms of the deadly drug.

Beyond Tanzania- He dispels the myth of Tanzania being a drug hub. "All countries on the Indian Ocean coast receive drugs shipped by sea," Lyimo explains, highlighting the regional scope of the problem.

The calm seas of September to December become a highway for these boats, ferrying their illicit cargo to African buyers.

The Scourge of Informal Ports. Statistics paint a stark picture. Over 240 informal ports, dubbed "dummy ports," hug Tanzania's coastline, offering clandestine entry points for the drugs.

Zanzibar and the mainland collaborate in this illicit business, fueled by a long-standing demand from across Africa.

Global fight, local battles. Lyimo acknowledges the complexities of the global drug trade.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime spearheads the international fight, but local challenges abound. "These people have financial power," he says, referring to the traffickers, "They use bribery and exploit vulnerabilities to weaken authorities."

A generation at risk. The human cost of this illicit trade is staggering.

A UNODC report reveals that 70 percent of those seeking drug addiction treatment in Africa are under 35, highlighting a generation at risk.

Uprooting the cannabis problem. DCEA's efforts extend beyond heroin.

They aim to eradicate cannabis cultivation within Tanzania, focusing on regions like Mara, Morogoro, and Iringa.

Lyimo emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach, including education, alternative crops, and research to dispel myths surrounding cannabis's supposed benefits.

Public engagement with four key groups.  Public cooperation is vital in this fight.

Lyimo calls upon four key groups: religious leaders, politicians, parents, and even some local government officials, urging them to wield their influence against drug use and expose potential collaborators within their ranks.

The ripple effect of drugs: The consequences of drug trafficking go far beyond individual addiction.

Lyimo highlights the strain it places on healthcare systems, tarnishes the country's international image, and weakens the workforce through illness and death.

More alarmingly, he cites evidence suggesting that over 80% of crime cases in Tanzania are linked to drug use.

A roadmap for the future. DCEA is actively working on a new Drug Control and Enforcement Policy, seeking to improve various aspects of the fight against drugs.

This ongoing reform process aims to equip the agency with even stronger tools to tackle this complex and evolving challenge.

Tanzania's battle against drug trafficking demands a multi-pronged approach, combining international cooperation, community engagement, and strategic policy reform.

By shedding light on the hidden network and its devastating impact, DCEA aims to rally support and resources to break the tide of drugs sweeping across the Indian Ocean and into the heart of Africa.