The Tanzania government has reiterated its zero tolerance on
illicit drugs and wildlife poaching stressing that it was committed to see that
such trade is wiped out and the government emerges a winner in this war. Speaking
recently at the handing over ceremony in which four canine detection dogs and
their handles demonstrated how the dogs were functional under the supervision
of their handlers (4) who are police officials, the Minister for Natural
Resources and Tourism, Prof Jumanne Maghembe said that the government has
embarked on multiple approaches to combat the illegal business through all its
ports, borders and game parks. “We highly appreciate the US government
cooperation extended to Tanzania in supporting the canine project in an effort
to protect the wildlife which is highly endangered through poaching,” he said. “These
efforts will make it possible to allow the growth of the wildlife again through
deployment of the canine trained to detect both ivory and illicit drugs,”
stressed the minister.
Prof Jumanne Maghembe
Meanwhile the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Hamad
Masauni has said that the police force has the capacity to detect drug
trafficking and wildlife poaching. “As we all know the effects of drugs and
wildlife poaching is beyond catastrophe,” he emphasized. He also thanked the US
government for its continued support to the country in its crusade on illicit
drugs and wildlife poaching. In another development the Charge ‘D’ Affairs of
the US Embassy, Ms Virginia Blaser described the handing over of the canine
detection as an achievement that is truly the first of its kind. “Ambassador
Childress is in the United States on official travel, but I have spoken with
him this morning and I can assure you he’s with us in spirit,” she said. She
said that it is now one year since the Commissioner Kerlikowske from U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol announced its intention to assist the Tanzanian
Government in the development of this canine detection programme that would
detect illegal shipments of ivory and drugs.
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