Tanzanian police have seized 55.5 tonnes of narcotics and arrested a rising number of illegal immigrants in 2012, reports Acting Director of Criminal Investigation Assistant Commissioner of Police Issaya Mngulu.

He told Thursday that the amount of illicit drugs impounded had gone up this year despite the decrease in cases of illicit drugs. "This year we have impounded a bigger amount of narcotic drugs due to increased operations by police and increased co-operation from various stakeholders. A total of 55,499 kg were confiscated and 6,933 suspects arrested," he noted.

ACP Mngulu said the numbers were bigger compared with last year's 17,776 kilos seized and 211 suspects arrested. However, he added that to a larger extent the circulation of industrial illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, mandrax and morphine had been controlled.

ACP Mngulu noted that this year, however, there had been fewer incidents where only 482 cases were reported compared with 565 reported last year. "We are not yet satisfied with the achievements made so far. We will increase operations at airports, harbours and in all border posts," he stressed.

Commenting on the illegal immigrants arrested in the course of the year, he Mngulu said 1,714 individuals were arrested while trying to get into the country and some of them attempting to sneak into neighbouring countries through Tanzania.

"There has been an increase of illegal immigrants this year. They are mainly coming from Somalia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Most of them have been escaping insecurity at home," he explained.