Probe on suspected drug peddlers complete

FAUSTINE KAPAMA

THE prosecution has completed investigations into a case in which 12 foreigners, including Pakistani and Iranian nationals are charged with trafficking in Tanzania narcotic drugs worth over 9bn/-.

The case is before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam. State Attorney Adolf Mkini, for the prosecution, told Principal Resident Magistrate Wilbard Mashauri yesterday that they were ready to proceed with the next stage of the matter, but was doubtful whether the original court file has been returned from the High Court.

The magistrate responded that the case file was still in the High Court and, thus, it could be proper to wait until further directives.

Under such circumstances, the trial attorney requested the court to set another mention date. The magistrate granted the request and adjourned the trial to December 20. The accused persons had been complaining over inordinate delay of investigations into the matter and requested the court to observe justice in the trial.

“We are requesting you to help us if there is justice in this country. We are suffering a lot while in prison and no progress of investigations has so far been recorded,” one of the accused persons was quoted as telling the magistrate.

But the prosecution had been responding that the original police case file was with the Regional Crime Officer to address the court’s concern on none completion of investigations within reasonable time.

In the trial, the foreigners, including eight Iranians and four Pakistanis, are alleged to have been found in possession of 200.5 kilogrammes of heroin hydrochloride. They are Ayoub Hoot Mohamad, Mohamad Hassan Rahim, Baksh Kheri Nakib, Fahiz Mohamd Dauda, Rahim Baksh Karim, Khalid Samki Ally, Abdul Somad Mia, Abdul Nabii Khrbakashi, Saeed Sahury, Bashir Afraz, Morad Basksh Gwaram and Hazir Azad Mukhtaj.

The accused allegedly committed the offence on February 4, 2013, in Tanzania territorial waters in Dar es Salaam.

It is alleged that jointly and together, they were found trafficking the said dangerous drugs valued at 9,022,500,000/-. On February 4, 2013, the police apprehended a dhow carrying the 12 suspects during a routine patrol in the waters near the port.

It is suspected the amount of drugs seized could be the biggest ever haul impounded in the country.