Police in Tanzania have seized over 1000 tons of narcotics during 2025 following intensified law enforcement operations and regulatory measures, authorities say.
Briefing journalists on Friday, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, said that the country’s anti-narcotics drive delivered measurable results last year through enhanced implementation of national strategies aimed at reducing the supply and demand for illicit drugs, mitigating their social and health impacts, and strengthening cooperation at national, regional and international levels.
He said the authorities seized a total of 1,074.72 tonnes of narcotic drugs during operations conducted across various regions in 2025. The haul included 1,014.06 tonnes of cannabis, 26.36 tonnes of khat, 3.20 tonnes of skunk cannabis and 29.52 tonnes of kratom, a newly identified psychoactive substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant.
Prof Kabudi noted that although cannabis remained the most commonly seized drug, the volume confiscated fell by 55.97 percent compared with 2024. He attributed the decline to the destruction of cannabis plantations in 2024, tighter enforcement measures, and expanded public awareness campaigns targeting cultivation communities.
He further disclosed that authorities intercepted a new narcotic substance, kratom, in Dar es Salaam, where 29.52 tonnes were seized after being imported disguised as fertiliser. Subsequent investigations confirmed the substance was a controlled narcotic.
Seizures of khat increased by 42.88 per cent compared with 2024, a rise the minister linked to strengthened surveillance and enforcement, particularly along border points and established trafficking routes, he added.
The government also stepped up inspections at customs checkpoints, transport terminals, courier services, and firms handling precursor chemicals and controlled medicines to prevent diversion into illicit markets.
As a result, authorities seized 31.76 tonnes and 183.5 litres of precursor chemicals, alongside 2.36 kilograms and 160 millilitres of controlled medicines.
On enforcement, Prof Kabudi said 1,124 drug-related cases were filed in courts in 2025, while 1,373 cases were concluded, with the State securing convictions in 1,058 cases. He added that assets worth more than Sh3.3 billion linked to drug offences were confiscated.
MG/as/APA