BabuK
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 30, 2008
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William Lukuvi, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliament)
Over 400 Tanzanians are currently held in 21 countries for allegedly trafficking drugs, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliament) William Lukuvi has confirmed.
He however said the draft law to amend the Drugs and Prevention of Illicit Act, 1995 is ready.
He made the remarks in Dodoma yesterday when briefing journalists on celebrations to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which will be marked nationally at Nzovwe Primary School grounds in Mbeya Region on Thursday. The Vice President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal is expected to be the guest of honour.
Lukuvi said that Tanzanians held in China face death penalty, in accordance with Chinese laws.
He said there are 65 Tanzanians being detained in China, 108 in Brazil, Kenya (34), Hong Kong (108), Pakistan (16), United Arab Emirates (12), Japan (7), Mauritius (6), UK (5), Malawi (5), Uganda (4), Oman (3), Switzerland (2), Italy (2), US (2), Argentina (2), Turkey (1), Portugal (1), Botswana (5), Chile (1), South Africa (3) and Mozambique (1).
He said the government is determined to fight drug trafficking, adding that apart from amending the 1995 Act, it is finalising processes to formulate a special task force (commission) that shall be able to investigate and apprehend drug suspects.
Lukuvi said the available laws against drugs are weak and don't provide stern punishment to alleged drug dealers, thus making it easy for them to pay the penalties of between 500,000/- and 10m/-.
According to the Minister, drug trafficking in the country is still very high with current statistics showing that between January and June this year, a total of 220 kilogrammes of heroin were seized whereby 18 suspects were arrested in connection with the hauls.
Lukuvi further said in the same period, a total of 15.4 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized and seven suspects arrested. He added: "Most of these drugs are not used in the country…people are just used to facilitate shipment to international markets."
He said nowadays there is another kind of illegal trafficking of acid (ephedrine) which is used to manufacture drugs.
He said so far there are 1,526 drug users undergoing treatment at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and at regional hospitals (Amana, Mwananyamala, Temeke). He said most of them are youths.
Lukuvi noted that most of the drug users are at risk of getting Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/Aids and heart complications.
In 1987 United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
This resolution recommended further action with regard to the report and conclusions of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN