Tanzanian authorities have seized nearly 10 kilograms of illegal drugs hidden in buses, used clothes, and even tea, following nationwide operations at the end of December 2025. Eleven motorcycles, three vehicles, and 66 suspects linked to drug offenses were also apprehended.
In Sinza C, Dar es Salaam, Kenyan national Jefferson Kilonzo Mwende, 35, was arrested with 131.88 grams of heroin. Authorities said Mwende, who has lived in Tanzania since 2023, used a tea business as a front for drug trafficking.
In Temeke, 20 packets of skunk weighing 20.03 kilograms were found concealed inside a container of used clothes aboard a Scania bus registered in Mozambique (AAM 297 CA) operating between Nampula and Dar es Salaam.
Two suspects, Amasha Iddi Mrisho, 40, from Buza, and Mozambican national Seleman Juma Ally, 32, were arrested in connection with the case.
In Kinyerezi, Ilala District, Erick Ernest Ndagwa (32), Paul Blass Henry (34), and Tido Emmanuel Mkude (35) were arrested transporting 193.66 kilograms of cannabis from Morogoro to Dar es Salaam.
Additional inspections at Dar es Salaam cargo companies uncovered 9.54 kilograms of marijuana disguised as dried herbs being shipped from Kenya to Australia.
Operations in Mwanza, Shinyanga, Morogoro, Tanga, Lindi, Kilimanjaro, Njombe, Kigoma, and Arusha led to the seizure of 37.34 grams of heroin, 1.015 kilograms of skunk, 7,969.98 kilograms of cannabis, and 1,363.701 kilograms of marijuana. Authorities also destroyed 14 acres of cannabis plantations.
The Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority called on citizens to report suspicious activities and warned against transporting goods for unknown persons.
The authority confirmed that nationwide operations will continue and strict legal action will be taken against drug offenders.
