Narcotics intercepted at JKIA in 2020 handed to Tanzanian authorities

The DCI on Wednesday stated that the handover, coordinated through the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), follows a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request from the Tanzanian government to support the criminal proceedings against suspects Mohammed Yusuph Mzimba and Enrique Dos Santos.

56 packages of the substance, camouflaged as hair braids were nabbed when the passengers were on transit through JKIA. 

Subsequent testing by the Government Analyst confirmed 1,712.34 grams of heroin, a prohibited substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, ANU Director Samwel Laboso said the DCI was committed to cross- border cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, which has destroyed lives across the region. 

Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) Director, Ibrahim Jillo, called for strong, consistent, and structured collaborations to curb the criminal networks that exploit jurisdictional gaps.

Tanzanian government was represented by Issac Isanzu, who noted DCI “vigilance and professionalism”. 

Also present were Tanzania’s Anti-Narcotics Director, Israel Makongo, the DCI’s Director of Legal Services, Augustine Kitonyi and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) representative, Elisante Masaki.