Tanzania’s Mbeya Region police arrested a total of 871 people for alleged involvement in various offences, including murder, rape, and assault, drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons.
While briefing journalists on Thursday on the region’s security situation for May 2026, Mbeya Regional Police Commander Benjamin Kuzaga announced that police operations and patrols conducted between May 1 and May 31 led to the arrest of suspects linked to a range of criminal offences.
“The suspects are connected to offences including murder, rape, illegal possession of weapons, drug trafficking and theft,” he said, adding investigations in some cases had been completed, with suspects arraigned, convicted and sentenced.
In a separate incident, police arrested two individuals identified as Baraka Mwakatoke, 31 and Said Baraka, 39, both residents of Dodoma, on suspicion of possessing cosmetic products containing prohibited substances.
The two were arrested on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at about 2:30 am at the Chimala checkpoint in Mbarali District along the Njombe-Mbeya highway.
Kuzaga said the suspects were transporting 403 boxes of cosmetic products from Tunduma in Songwe Region to Dodoma.
In another case, police are holding a resident of Kyela District, Shaban Safari, 48, on suspicion of possessing 27 sachets of heroin.
He was arrested on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in the Roma area of Kyela Central Ward in Unyakyusa Division. Police also recovered two grams of cannabis during the arrest.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect was involved in the sale of narcotic drugs. Further investigations are underway before the matter is taken to court,” said Kuzaga.
Residents of Mbeya City have been calling for stiffer action to combat the sale and use of narcotic drugs, warning that the vice is having a damaging impact on young people.
MG/as/APA