(Zanzibar) – Zanzibar’s authorities have launched a crackdown on drug trafficking by seizing assets from key drug dealers, though concerns remain over the wider network involved in the illegal trade.
A new crackdown by Zanzibar authorities aims to combat the growing issue of drug trafficking that has significantly impacted the community, with more than 10,000 people, particularly between the ages of 13 and 35, falling victim to the illegal drug trade.
The recent action by the Zanzibar Drug Control Authority (ZDCA) to seize assets worth 976 million Tanzanian Shillings (USD 400,000) from major drug dealers has sparked mixed reactions from the public. These assets include a marijuana farm in Paje, South Unguja, owned by German investor Andreas Wolfgang Fretz, who had previously entered the country as an investor. His total seized assets were valued at 519 million Tanzanian Shillings (USD 211,000). Among the other individuals whose assets were confiscated is Mohamed Abdulla Juma, a former senior government official in the Zanzibar Revolution Government (SMZ), who was accused of money laundering.
According to the ZDCA Commissioner, Colonel Burhani Zubeir Nassor, Juma facilitated the laundering of funds for two alleged drug dealers, Saleh Khamis Baslem and his wife, Gawar Bachi Kakir Bahi. These individuals were reportedly involved in the trafficking of drugs into the country via shipments from Afghanistan, using satellite phones to communicate with ship captains.
While the recent crackdown has been lauded by the public for enforcing the Zanzibar anti-drug laws, which include asset forfeiture, there are still concerns regarding the deeper network of drug traffickers operating in the region. Questions are being raised about how long Fretz’s marijuana farm was in operation and who his buyers were. Additionally, the role of other foreign investors in illicit activities, especially in the tourism sector, is under scrutiny.
The village of Paje, where Fretz’s farm was located, is home to a government representative known as the “sheha,” along with over 200 police officers and other security personnel. Despite this, it is unclear how Fretz’s operation went unnoticed. The authorities are also investigating the use of satellite phones, which were allegedly used to coordinate drug shipments. The question remains whether other individuals in the country also own such devices and whether there are effective means to track their use.
The urgent task now is to uncover the full extent of the drug trafficking network, taking strong legal actions against those involved, including other foreign investors who may be contributing to the issue. It is crucial that the authorities and citizens work together to dismantle this illicit operation. In addition to asset forfeiture, those found guilty should face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, as drug dealers are seen as detrimental to the well-being of society, destroying lives and families in the process.
Moreover, the government should investigate the operations of some hotels in the tourism industry that have raised concerns, and local leaders, such as the shehas, must be vigilant in identifying suspicious activities within their communities. While their responsibilities often involve handling administrative matters like business licenses, they must also focus on preventing crime, particularly drug-related activities, from spreading within their villages.
While the efforts of ZDCA are commendable, greater public support is needed to ensure the success of the fight against drugs and to protect future generations from the destructive impact of this illegal trade. Only with collective effort can Zanzibar break free from the grip of drug trafficking, safeguarding the health and well-being of its people.