{{Four Tanzanians were seized carrying illicit drugs with a total street value of Sh7.1 billion in two separate incidents yesterday, highlighting the concern that East Africa is fast becoming a major trafficking hub in the continent.}}
In the first incident, two women travelling from Tanzania were arrested at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, after authorities discovered 150kg of illicit drugs known as crystal methamphetamine stashed in their luggage.
The drug is better known locally in South Africa as ‘tik’. A statement by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) said the estimated street value of the 150kg of ‘tik’ is R42.6 million (about Sh7 billion).
The head of the anti-narcotics unit in the Tanzanian Police Force, Mr Godfrey Nzowa, said the couple was heading to Bangkok and were arrested on Saturday around 2pm after a tip off.
“It is the biggest tik or crystal meth bust that SARS customs has made at any port of entry,” said SARS spokesperson, Ms Marika Muller, in an interview yesterday.
The drug haul shows that Tanzania, like Uganda and Kenya, is also becoming a major conduit of the methamphetamine.
NMG
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