Morogoro police hold 66 narcotic drugs suspects

Police in Morogoro Region are holding 66 people over alleged involvement in narcotic drugs. In the ongoing crackdown against illicit drugs trade and abuse, the police said they nabbed the suspects who were in possession of heroin, khat and 39 bags of marijuana. 

The Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Ulrich Matei, revealed this yesterday while briefing reporters on the progress of the war against illicit drugs currently going on in the region.

He noted that in the morning of February 5, 2017, in Sesenga Village of Mngazi Ward in Morogoro District, law enforcers during patrol managed to arrest five people with motorcycles who had been carrying 18 bags of marijuana. According to the regional police boss, they were reportedly transporting the outlawed drugs to Kibaha in Coast Region.

He named the suspects as Amri Seleman (23), a resident of Mlandizi, Steven Komba (20), Abdallah Hamis (34) from Kiluvya , Kornel Martin (27) and Ramadhan Said (27) all residents of Kiluvya, Coast Region.

In another incident, Mr Matei said that on February 19, police officers managed to arrest one Hamadi Hassan (27) who was driving a Toyota Noah bearing registration number T 799 BUG, a resident of Mbezi Luis, Dar es Salaam carrying 21 bags of marijuana.

On the same date, the RPC said police in Kidudwe Village, Mvomero District nabbed a woman allegedly possessing 162 rolls of marijuana. On the other hand, Mr Matei told reporters that other seven people were arrested in Turiani after they were found with heroin and investigations were underway before their arraignment.

The RPC further noted that 12 people who were nabbed previously on the same allegations had already been dragged to court. Meanwhile, police in Tabora have netted two people for allegedly possessing 37 bundles of khat in Igunga District.

Tabora Regional Police Commander, Hamis Selemani said here yesterday that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday last week, saying the illicit drugs were found under a bed at around 5am.

He named the suspects as Khalfan Selemani (30) and Salumu Hamisi (44) both residents of Uarabuni Street. Mr Selemani said the police arrested them after working on a tip off from good citizens, pointing out that apart from narcotic drugs use, the suspects have been engaged in drugs trade for many years.

“We discovered bundles of khat hidden under the bed after a search by our officers,” he said. Mr Selemani said the suspects were taken to Igunga District Police Station for grilling, saying investigations were still ongoing to establish ways used to transport the illicit drugs. He issued a stern warning against people or gang that engaged in illegal drugs trade to stop it and that anyone who will dare to engage in it will face the music.

Mr Selemani said a crackdown to establish those who use and trade in narcotic drugs was ongoing in Tabora Region, saying the crackdown continues in all villages and wards. DP Party District Chairman, Mr Mbogo Athumani has expressed delight for the crackdown, urging community members to join hands with the government to nab those who are engaging in the illegal trade. The opposition party district chairman appealed to other organs including media to facilitate disclosure of the people’s names in the illegal drugs trade.