DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's anti-narcotics authorities have seized 3,182 kilograms of methamphetamine and heroin, and arrested seven suspected drug traffickers in a special crackdown conducted in the Dar es Salaam and Iringa regions, according to the country's Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA).
"This is the largest ever seizure of drugs in the country's anti-narcotics crackdown history," Aretas Lyimo, the commissioner general of the DCEA, said on Wednesday.
Lyimo told a news conference in Tanzania's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam that out of the seized drugs, 2,180.29 kilograms were methamphetamine and 1,001.71 kilograms were heroin, adding that the drugs were seized during the special crackdown that was conducted on Dec. 5-23.
Lyimo said the seven arrested suspected drug traffickers were five Tanzanian nationals and two Asians, adding that the suspects were linked to a cartel of drug dealers with networks across the world.
"The seized drugs were packed in packets of various brands of coffee and tea leaves. This method is used to facilitate the transportation of the drugs and avoid detection," said Lyimo. ■
