ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in eastern Tanzania's district of Mvomero on Tuesday destroyed more than 70 acres of marijuana farms in the countrywide ongoing anti-narcotic drugs operation.
Mohamed Utaly, Mvomero District Commissioner said that 20 people have been arrested in connection with farming, processing, trafficking and selling marijuana.
He said that the suspected cannabis growers were found doing the illegal farming venture in a remote and hilly area, which cannot be easily accessed.
According to the official, the villagers were engaging in growing the cannabis, to the extent of setting up irrigating infrastructures in the area, which they use during dry season.
"They have been using rivers that flow from Mikumi National Park," he said.
"Farmers in the area were found busy taking care of the illicit drug and the crop found is in different stages. There are farms which were ready for harvesting, while other farmers were drying the leafy crop," he said.
He added that the areas where the crop is grown are hard to be accessed due to its geographical location.
"We need more personnel if this operation is to be successful in the areas, and we're also thinking of deploying a special aircraft so that we can spray herbicides or chemicals to destroy those farms," the official said.
According to him, the situation is bad in Mvomero district, especially in Doma and Mgeta areas where a number of young people are badly affected by the cannabis.
Michael Ligola, Mvomero District Director called upon local leaders in areas which are notorious for such illegal farming to team up with the the central government in the fight against narcotic drugs.
He encouraged people in their localities to engage into growing food crops for income-generating activities.
Early this year, the Tanzanian government announced a countrywide anti-narcotics operation, which includes marijuana.
Tanzania is one of the largest marijuana producers in Africa and its largest consignment is destined to Kenya's Nairobi which serves as the distribution point for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, among others.
