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FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000484 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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TAGS: KCRM PGOV PREL SNAR TZ
SUBJECT: TANZANIA:  MINI-DUBLIN GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT 
STATE AND FUTURE STRATEGIES TO COMBAT NARCOTICS 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
¶1. (U) The Assistant Regional Security Officer (ARSO) 
attended the "Mini-Dublin Group," an informal gathering of 
like-minded countries initiated by the President of Ireland 
focused on counter narcotics issues.  Embassy representatives 
from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, Finland, 
the United States as well as from the World Health 
Organization and Tanzanian National Drug Control Commission 
met June 5 to discuss the drug trafficking situation in 
Tanzania.  During the meeting, participants explored and 
agreed on priority areas for external assistance in the 
counter narcotics field (see Para 10).  In Tanzania, the 
Mini-Dublin Group meets on the average every six to eight 
months.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) The attendees discussed that Tanzania is on major drug 
trafficking routes.  Tanzania's porous borders, long coast 
line and international air links make it an attractive 
transit point for drug traffickers.  Traffickers use varied 
and sometimes unique methods of concealment, including 
corpses, grain containers, and human "mules" for the movement 
of drugs.  In 2006, a total of 4.1 kg of cocaine was seized 
by government authorities in Tanzania.  From July 2007 until 
June 2008 the amount of total seized narcotics ballooned to 
78 kg. 
 
¶3. (U) Domestically, heroin and cocaine are commonly found in 
Tanzania's urban areas.  Rural areas of Tanzania are known 
for illegally growing and exporting cannabis and khat to 
neighboring countries.  The capability to transport narcotics 
into other countries is facilitated by weak border 
infrastructure and enforcement procedures.  Also, the impact 
of widespread cultivation of cannabis and khat has had a 
secondary environmental impact of contributing to widespread 
deforestation. 
 
¶4. (U) The profile of the average Tanzanian drug user is 
between the ages of 18 to 30 who has at least a secondary 
education and is likely to be HIV positive.  Based on 
anecdotal evidence and small studies, HIV positive prevalence 
among drug users is generally higher, and in some cases 
significantly higher, than in the general population.  The 
HIV infection rate has shown an upward trend among drug 
abusers since 2004; very few HIV positive drug users seek 
treatment.  This could be due both to the stigma attached to 
drug use and to the lack of specialized treatment available 
for drug addicts. 
 
Tanzania's National Drug Control Commission 
------------------------------------------- 
¶5. (U) The Government of Tanzania (GOT) is taking measures to 
counteract the importation and transportation of illegal 
drugs across its borders and into the interior.  In recent 
years, the GOT established a counter narcotics task force 
which includes representatives from the police, the National 
Drug Control Commission (DCC), immigration and customs 
officers, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau 
(PCCB), the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and the 
intelligence service.  The DCC is also working to develop 
contacts with its partner organizations elsewhere in East 
Africa, most notably in Kenya.  Regional cooperation will 
become increasingly important as the planned free movement of 
people is introduced among member states of the East African 
Community (EAC). 
 
¶6. (U) Tanzania has also taken steps to eradicate cannabis 
crops through destruction and crop substitution.  In the 
northern Mara region, close to the Kenyan border, cannabis 
crops are widely being replaced by artemisia which is used in 
the production of anti-malaria drugs.  The Government of 
Tanzania is working to replicate this approach elsewhere in 
other regions of the country. 
 
¶7. (U) Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete has spoken out 
strongly against drug trafficking; however, the Drug Control 
Commission (DCC) continues to be hampered by the lack of 
adequate financial resources.   For example, in 2005 the DCC 
requested a USD 5 million budget and was allocated only USD 1 
million.  Although constrained by a lack of funding, the DCC 
has effectively used public education as a way to fight 
drugs.  The Commission is also working with the Cabinet and 
the Parliament to draft and enact new, stricter counter 
narcotics legislation. 
 
¶8. (U) No foreign donors have major counter narcotics 
 
DAR ES SAL 00000484  002 OF 002 
 
 
programs in Tanzania.  The United Nations Office on Drugs and 
Crime (UNODC) has invited Tanzanian practitioners (customs, 
immigration officials, police officers, doctors and nurses, 
etc.) to participate in courses and seminars, but these 
invitations are sporadic and not strategically focused. 
 
Donor country assistance 
------------------------ 
¶9. (U) In 2007-08, three donor countries provided minor 
assistance in the area of narcotics training.  These are: 
 
-- Canada 
      Canada supports a project organized by the United 
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Global Program 
against Money Laundering/Anti-Money Laundering Unit 
(GPML/AMLU).  This program reinforces capacity at both 
regional and national levels of Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda 
in the fight against money laundering and terrorist 
financing.  In Tanzania, the 17-month project focuses mainly 
on capacity building to conduct international criminal 
investigations as well as to improve international 
cooperation on economic and financial crimes cases for law 
enforcement agencies. 
 
-- United Kingdom 
      The UK supported a one-week training course conducted 
by British customs officers focusing on drug-related law 
enforcement, particularly the profiling of airline 
passengers.  The course participants came from the DCC, 
police, customs and other law enforcement agencies. 
 
-- Sweden 
      Sweden supports a Swedish NGO (IOGT/NTO) that works in 
Tanzania in capacity building and advocacy work related to 
alcohol and drugs, through a regional East African office. 
 
Priority areas 
-------------- 
¶10. (U) The Mini-Dublin Group agreed at the June 5 meeting 
that priority areas for external assistance in the counter 
narcotics field include: 
 
   a.  Specialized care and treatment for drug addicts. 
   b.  Further training of law enforcement officers. 
   c.  Research into the geographic and numerical 
     extent of the drug  problem in Tanzania. 
   d.  Specific research into the relationship 
     between drug use and the prevalence of HIV. 
   e.  Provision for acquiring specialized scientific 
     equipment. 
   f.  Immediate implementation strong anti-drugs 
     legislation to include strong sentences for 
     drug traffickers. 
 
¶11. (U) The Mini-Dublin Group recommended that foreign donors 
involved in health, education, social welfare, agriculture, 
law enforcement, anti-corruption work, the judiciary and 
climate change sectors consider adding narcotics-related work 
to their portfolios.  Donors should also encourage the 
establishment of formal regional cooperation among the 
counter narcotics organizations of East Africa. 
ANDRE