Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

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Tanzania: More Drugs Seized At Dar es Salaam Airport

By Abdulwakil Saiboko, 16 August 2013


 

SECURITY officers at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam have arrested a drug trafficker enroute to Italy with 86 pellets of heroin and 34 rolls of bhang.

 

Leonard Jeremiah Monyo (39), who holds a Tanzanian passport was netted at around 8.30pm, on Wednesday, just hours after Minister for Transport Dr Harrison Mwakyembe visited the airport to inspect security systems.

 

The suspect was about to board a Swiss airline via Zurich to Italy. Dr Mwakyembe told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the government will keep security tight at all ports and harbours in a move to ensure no drugs come in or leave out.

 

"We will screen all incoming or outgoing cargo because we want to make sure that our airports and harbours are free from dubious and illicit goods," he said.

 

Dr Mwakyembe added that all the drug traffickers who will be detained from now on will be exposed with their photos printed and televised in all media.

 

"I will personally make a follow-up and see the fate of all those who will be arrested from now onwards because I think we do not need to waste time gathering evidence when someone is netted with all exhibits," he said.

 

He named the two officials who arrested the trafficker in question as, Ms Grace Jonathan who was operating a screening machine in collaboration with her coworker Grantina Jonathan.

 

Dr Mwakyembe urged the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) to consider any incentives for the two ladies as a way of encouraging them and other staff to work hard in furthering the course.

 

"We will do all we can to motivate those who will help us in arresting drug traffickers and likewise we will have no option but to fire all those who will conspire to carry drugs," he said.

 

Dr Mwakyembe vowed to tighten screws in his ministry to make sure drug dealers who use airports and harbours as their gateways are arrested. "It is shameful for our international airport bearing the name of the father of the nation, Julius Nyerere, to be used in exporting drugs.

 

It tarnishes the image of both our country and our father of the nation," he said. In the tour he made at JNIA on Wednesday, Dr Mwakyembe realised that the airport is well equipped with modern machines to detect any contrabands.

 

He added that the only problem was the fact that there has been syndicate among machine operators and security officials at the airport making it possible for drugs to sneak in and out, but vowed to leave no stone unturned.

 

Meanwhile, NASHON KENNEDY report from Mwanza that police in the region have arrested Yohana Charles (27), who is a Butiama resident in Mara Region after he was found illegally possessing 10 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 26 kilogrammes worth 23.37m/-.

 

Mwanza Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Ernest Mangu, told journalists yesterday that Charles was arrested by police on Wednesday at Buzuruga bus terminal at around 9.15 a.m.

 

Mangu said the accused was arrested by the police who were on patrol and they suspected him after they saw him at the bus terminal without any reason for being there. Mangu said he was ordered to open a sack he was carrying and found with the contraband.