Man nabbed with drugs at Dar airport

   He had 86 pellets of heroin, 134 of bhang

 Security personnel at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) have apprehended a man travelling abroad, carrying 86 pellets of heroin and 134 bhang pellets. The arrest came only hours after Transport Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe informed the country of corrupt airport personnel who were allowing trafficking of drugs through the airport.

“The problem is not a shortage of modern equipment…our airport is fitted with the most modern equipment…the problem is with those assigned to oversee security,” the Minister said.
Minister Mwakyembe made a surprise visit to the airport on Wednesday where he was quoted saying there is video recording of airport personnel taking part in trafficking illicit drugs and assured them of severe repercussions.

“We are not going to tolerate anyone involved…they will all be brought to justice no matter their status or position,” he pledged noting how annoying it is to have JNIA listed as one of the most notorious gateways for drug traffickers.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Mwakyembe pointed out that drug trafficking through JNIA has severely tarnished the country’s image that is scaring away potential tourists and even investors.

In redress, the government is working to enact a law that will ban any persons previously implicated in trafficking cases from travelling via any of the country’s ports, land, sea or air.

Further, when it comes to corrupt officials stringent action will be instituted against them including losing their jobs and serving jail terms. On the flip side, authorities and persons who enable the arrest of such parties will be rewarded.

To strengthen security, Dr Mwakyembe announced plans to install even more sophisticated screening machines and security systems that will allow for a more efficient detection of the culprits.

“We are not only going to boost security at the airports but plans are well underway to install newer and improved devices at all our entry and exit ports,” the Minister announced.

He promised to name the suspected culprits after watching CCTV footage of the incident in which a huge consignment of drugs was cleared through the airport only to be impounded at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“The airport has very modern facilities and there is no way one can pass with illicit drugs without being detected. There is an installed system that records everything that takes place within the premises. I have seen some of the footage,” Mwakyembe said.

The arrested man has been identified as Lenard Jeremiah Monyo who was travelling to Italy through Zurich, Switzerland. His nationality or age were not disclosed. Monyo was apprehended at approximately 8:15hrs by two female security officers and remains in police custody.

These developments come within days of two Tanzanian female artists Agnes Jerald (25) and Melisa Edward (24) getting nabbed at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa with 120 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth USD$ 5m (about 8.2bn/-)

Around the same time, two other Tanzanians were also arrested in Hong Kong also with a consignment of drugs whose specifics, type and amount have not being released from Tanzania through JNIA airport.

The nation is today anxiously awaiting Minister Mwakyembe’s promised publication of airport officials caught in the act on security cameras conspiring with smugglers and allowing drug shipments to pass. Along with these employees, it is expected that the Minister will reveal some identified drug kingpins and maybe even senior officials from various authorities in the country. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN