Zanzibar – Zanzibar’s drug enforcement agency has revealed a new and alarming trend of narcotics being concealed in everyday snacks and sweets, targeting children and young people.
The announcement follows a major operation in January that led to the seizure of over seven kilogrammes of contaminated products and the arrest of several suspects, including a Romanian national believed to be a key player in an international trafficking ring.
In a press conference on Monday, March 2, 2026, the Zanzibar Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (ZOCEA) announced the seizure of cocaine, cannabis, and LSD disguised in commercially branded sweets, chocolates, biscuits, and shisha products.
The operation, conducted on January 25 and 29, targeted shops and a warehouse in the South Unguja and West regions of Zanzibar.
ZOCEA Commissioner, Colonel Burhani Zuberi Nassor, stated that the seized goods, weighing 7.448 kilogrammes, were packaged in attractive wrappers with appealing flavours such as ‘grape ice’ and ‘strawberry kiwi’ to lure unsuspecting young consumers.
“The seizure highlights criminals’ evolving tactics, using ordinary food and leisure items to distribute drugs, targeting children under 18 and young people, who form the nation’s future,” said Colonel Nassor.
A Romanian national, Alexander Rizescu, 23, has been identified as the main suspect behind the importation of the drugs. He is alleged to have been distributing the illicit products through a company named Zebra Retail Investment to neighbouring countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, and Malawi.
Two Tanzanian citizens of Indian origin, Nahidi Bandari, 33, and Farhad Mustafa, 33, have also been arrested and charged in connection with the operation. Several vehicles, including three cars and six motorcycles, believed to have been used in the distribution network, were also confiscated.
Big problem
The drug problem in Zanzibar is significant, with an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 people addicted to heroin on the island. The archipelago’s strategic location on the Swahili coast has made it a major hub for illicit trade for decades.
The latest seizure underscores a shift towards new and more insidious methods of trafficking, moving beyond traditional heroin routes to include synthetic drugs and novel concealment techniques.
READ MORE: Youths Mysteriously Go Missing in Zanzibar. Families, Police Offer Contradictory Explanations
Enforcement of anti-drug laws in Zanzibar has also been a persistent challenge. Between 2020 and early 2025, authorities arrested 1,220 suspects in connection with drug-related offences. However, of the 1,198 cases reported, only 755 were taken to court, resulting in just 179 convictions.
One of the main enforcement challenges pointed out by stakeholders is corruption. The Commissioner General of Tanzania’s Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), Aretus Lyimo, recently identified corruption as a principal obstacle in the anti-narcotics campaign.
He revealed that officers often face death threats and intimidation from powerful drug syndicates.
In his statement, Colonel Nassor acknowledged the threats his agency faces, stating, “In this operation, I will hear a lot of noise, and it has already started because the people we have arrested are major criminals and part of a large national and international syndicate.”
READ MORE: Authorities Dismantle Tanzania’s Major Drug Rings in Sweeping Operations
The authorities have vowed to continue their crackdown on drug trafficking and have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
“We call on parents, guardians, and the public to be vigilant about products purchased for children and those bought by young people, especially new items or unfamiliar packaging,” said Colonel Nassor.
