Authorities in the Tarime Rorya region have arrested a 30-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Kenya after he was allegedly found entering the country with four military-grade explosives.
Police say the swift operation reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard communities along the border.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Tarime Rorya Regional Police announced that Charles Onkuri Ongeta, reportedly a serving member of the U.S. military with the rank of sergeant, was stopped at around midday while crossing into Tanzania through the Sirari border.
Officers were conducting routine inspections when they discovered the explosives in a Toyota Land Cruiser with Kenyan registration number KDP 502Y.
The items seized were identified as CS M68 handheld explosive devices, which are classified as restricted military equipment.
Under Tanzanian law, civilians and foreign personnel are strictly prohibited from possessing or transporting such weapons without explicit government authorization.
Police said the suspect would not have been permitted to bring the devices into the country under any circumstances.
“Investigations are progressing, and the suspect is being questioned so that the truth behind this incident can be fully established,” the regional command said.
Authorities added that once evidence gathering is complete, the matter will proceed according to the relevant legal procedures.
The arrest has underscored Tanzania’s heightened vigilance at border points, with officials assuring the public that security agencies remain committed to preventing dangerous materials from entering the country.
