Anti-drugs authority holds corpses in trafficking probe

Dar es Salaam. The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has uncovered a disturbing method being used by criminals to smuggle narcotics into the country by concealing drugs inside human corpses.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo revealed that some traffickers have resumed the shocking practice of hiding drugs in dead bodies, a method previously referred to as “container” or “bag” smuggling.

“The traffickers remove the brain from the skull, insert drugs, and then seal the skull using glue. Similarly, they open the chest cavity, conceal the drugs inside, and reseal it in a way that avoids detection,” Mr Lyimo said.

However, he assured the public that this method has now been brought under control thanks to the advanced body-scanning technology used to examine remains upon arrival in the country.

“We have already intercepted several cases. Traffickers are now removing organs such as the lungs and liver to create space for hiding drugs in the chest cavity. If these remains are not thoroughly screened, the drugs could go undetected,” he warned.

He urged the public to be cautious when repatriating bodies from abroad, stressing that anyone involved in transporting drug-laden corpses would be held accountable.

The commissioner also warned traffickers who use internal concealment methods such as swallowing drug pellets that the country’s modern detection systems at airports would make such attempts futile.

Mr Lyimo disclosed that a special anti-drug operation, conducted over the past two months in collaboration with other government agencies, led to the seizure of 37.2 kilogrammes of drugs and the arrest of multiple suspects.

Among those arrested were two Chinese nationals, Chein Bai and Qixian Xin, who were found in possession of 1.42 grammes of methamphetamine, 1,000 tablets of flunitrazepam (commonly known as Rohypnol), and 1.92 kilogrammes of ketamine.

He further revealed that some foreign nationals were using Tanzanians to distribute drugs, often after forming close personal ties. “They exploit local transport options—bodaboda, bajaji, and taxis—to deliver drugs using businesses as a cover,” he said.

The DCEA is also holding a well-known gemstone dealer (name withheld) suspected of producing and distributing cookies laced with a potent narcotic drug known as skunk.

“The suspect owns a factory that manufactures these cookies and distributes them in Dar es Salaam, Lindi, Mwanza, and Mtwara, with gemstone traders in mining areas acting as key distributors,” Mr Lyimo said.

He warned that skunk-laced products are extremely dangerous, capable of triggering erratic behaviour including memory distortion, aggression, sexual assault and theft.