Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE police force has nabbed 636.5kg of narcotic drugs along the coast in both mainland and Zanzibar in a period of one month.
Under the operation dubbed ‘Whale Operation’ the police seized such quantity of drugs between August 20 and September 22, this year, according to Commissioner of Police (CP)-Zanzibar Mohamed Haji Hassan.
CP Hassan made revelations on Friday when briefing journalists over the progress of the operation, mentioning the confiscated illicit drugs as Heroine, cannabis, and khat.
“A total of 237 cases have been filed following the arrest of 282 men and 44 women suspects,” he said.
He said the operation was an attempt to control the drugs business in the country, allegedly embedded in the coastal areas of Zanzibar and mainland, particularly in unauthorized seaports.
“It was a successful operation, but members of the public should continue supporting it,” Hassan said at the Press held at the police head office- Ziwani in the city.
The operation covered coastal areas in Dar es Salaam, , Rufiji, Lindi, Mtwara, and Zanzibar (Mjini Magharibi, Kaskazini Unguja, Kusini Unguja, Kaskazini Pemba and Kusini Pemba).
Commissioner Hassan went on to appeal to the members of the public to fully support ongoing anti-narcotic drugs operation by exposing individual involving in such illegal business so that Tanzania becomes narcotics-free country to save young Tanzanians who are main victims.
The police commissioner also urged Zanzibaris and other people in the islands to maintain peace and stability and should remain vigilant to expose drug traffickers, distributors, and other criminals, noting that by doing so it was possible to control drugs.
