Dodoma — THE Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, William Lukuvi, yesterday informed the National Assembly in Dodoma that Mara region is leading in the cultivation of marijuana (bhang) and security organs are working closely with law abiding citizens to expose culprits.

The minister was responding to a basic question asked by Kidawa Hamid Saleh (MP Special Seats - CCM) who asked government to give statistics on the illicit drug business.

The legislator demanded clarification on the total number of women nabbed in the country and abroad in connection with drug trafficking as the scourge has hit many countries. "The illicit drugs include marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Countries leading in the production of these drugs include United States of America (marijuana), Afghanistan (heroin) and Brazil (cocaine)," Lukuvi explained.

He said between 2010 and 2012 the number of Tanzanian women arrested for being implicated in drug trafficking stands at 17. Out of this number, 14 were arrested in the country and three arrested in Brazil," he explained.

It was revealed that it is not an easy task eradicating the cultivation of marijuana as dealers use modern technology to alert each other once law enforcers are spotted. In Arumeru district, Arusha region and Iringa region for example, cultivation is done in high up areas making it difficult for the police to access the locations.