Four university students in Dar es Salaam are in police custody after being arrested at a private house party where they allegedly served and consumed biscuits laced with cannabis (bhang), authorities confirmed on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The incident took place over the weekend in Mbezi Beach, a leafy suburb of the city, after a tip-off led law enforcement officers to raid the residence where the gathering was being held.
According to Kinondoni Regional Police Commander (RPC), ACP Ahmed Msangi, officers found several packets of cookies suspected to be infused with marijuana, along with rolling papers, smoking paraphernalia, and small quantities of loose cannabis during the raid.
“Preliminary investigations indicate the biscuits were baked with marijuana and distributed during the party. Forensic tests are underway to confirm the concentration of the drug,” ACP Msangi told reporters on Monday.
He added that four students — two men and two women aged between 20 and 24 years — were arrested at the scene and are being held for questioning. Police say the suspects are enrolled at two different private universities in Dar es Salaam.
The students could face charges related to possession, trafficking, and consumption of narcotic drugs, which under Tanzanian law carry penalties of up to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.
The arrests have once again drawn attention to the rising use of cannabis-infused foods and drinks, commonly known as edibles, among young people in Tanzania’s urban centers.
Authorities have warned that many users underestimate the potency of these products, which can cause severe psychological effects.
“These so-called cannabis biscuits are becoming fashionable among youth, especially in universities,” said Dr. Asha Msuya, a clinical psychologist at Muhimbili National Hospital. “What they don’t realize is that edibles take longer to react, leading many to consume dangerously high doses.”
She urged parents and education institutions to step up awareness campaigns about the risks of drug abuse, especially among young adults living away from home for the first time.
Under the Drugs Control and Enforcement Act, 2015, possession or distribution of cannabis in any form is illegal in Tanzania.
The country has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics, with the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) leading nationwide crackdowns in recent years.
The DCEA has been collaborating with schools and universities to monitor high-risk areas and discourage peer-led experimentation with illegal substances.
“We will not allow our young people to destroy their futures through such reckless behavior,” said DCEA spokesperson Hamis Mtulia. “Anyone caught producing or consuming these drugs, even in food form, will face the full force of the law.”
News of the arrests sparked mixed reactions among residents and social media users. Some commended the police for quick action, while others called for more educational rather than punitive approaches to youth drug use.
A lecturer at one of the affected universities, who requested anonymity, said the institution was cooperating fully with police and conducting internal disciplinary reviews.
“We are shocked by the incident. It’s unfortunate that some of our brightest students are making choices that could destroy their academic and professional futures,” the lecturer said.
Police say the four suspects will remain in custody pending toxicology results and legal processing. Once the analysis is complete, the case file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.
The incident adds to a growing list of drug-related cases in Tanzania’s urban areas, with authorities vowing to intensify surveillance and community sensitization efforts ahead of the festive season, when recreational substance use typically spikes.
“We want this to be a warning,” RPC Msangi said. “The law does not differentiate between smoking marijuana and eating it in biscuits. A drug is a drug.”
