By Robert Ochieng | Sunday Observer

Tanzania is losing ground in the fight against illicit drugs, recording more cases and suspects of drug offences compared to the number of seizures by relevant authorities last year.

Christopher Shekiondo Drugs Control and Monitoring Unit Commissioner, told the press in Dar es Salaam on Friday that there was an increase in drug related crimes.

Quoting a report, he said: “There were 8,452 suspects, of whom, 806 were women arrested in 2007 compared to 7,194 that were netted in 2006,“ adding that 5,937 cases have been opened in various courts across the country.

Sixty-five Tanzanians he said, have been arrested outside the country, citing Pakistan where he said 27 of them have reportedly been put under custody.

A whopping 225 tonnes of bhang, also known as cannabis, was seized in 2006 compared to a measly 59.9 tonnes of the drug in 2007 as well as an additional two tonnes of khat, commonly known as `mirungi`.

Commissioner Shekiondo also noted that more than 600 acres of cultivated bhang was destroyed in various regions of the country.

Morogoro topped the list with 625 acres of cultivated cannabis destroyed.

Other regions such as Mara, Tabora, Lindi, Mwanza, Iringa Pwani and Shinyanga witnessed the destruction of a combined 23.83 acres of the herb.

Issuing the report, which ranks the country`s third among the leading producers of bhang in Africa, the unit`s chief pointed out that hard drugs have continued to find their way into the country through air and water as well as by land.

According to the report, consumption of drugs is on the increase, while drug pushers and barons have developed new trafficking patterns that ensure them to remain in the business.

Shekiondo said his unit has engaged the Prevention and Control of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), pointing out that the fight against illicit drugs and their use in the country needs concerted efforts.