The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) yesterday urged the public to be careful with food products loved by children because unscrupulous people were mixing some of these items with bhang.

The caution came after DCEA busted a ring of bhang dealers who mix the drug with food products such as biscuits, cakes, jam, sharbat and tomato sauce.

DCEA commissioner general Aretas Lyimo said apart from food products that are mainly aimed at children, bhang is also mixed with cigarettes and shisha.

He added that 16 people involved in the illegal business have been arrested, with six having appeared in court already.

This comes at a time when the country is witnessing an increase in the number of people with mental health problems, most of them young people and children aged 15 and above, with the use of bhang being cited as one of the causes.

Reports suggest that skanka is a type of bhang described as having a high level of toxin of more than 45 percent compared to normal cannabis with a level of toxin between 3 to 10 percent.

According to Mr. Lyimo, the mixing of bhang and food is done with the aim of facilitating the sale of the drugs clandestinely and increasing the number of drug users, especially considering that some of those food products are loved by children.

Mr. Lyimo noted that after success in controlling the smuggling and use of drugs, illegal drug dealers have continued to create new tactics, including mixing drugs with foods and other products to create a new generation of drug users.

To deal with the problem, the Authority, he said, made a follow-up and discovered an unregistered biscuit factory located at Kawe in the city and arrested the culprits, ensuring that the products do not enter the market and affect more children and young people.

“In Kawe, we arrested the suspects while in the production of these biscuits using a small grinding plant and equipment for making cannabis biscuits.

“We have taken them to court and we call upon the public to give us a tip-off about the presence of factories of this type or people involved in this illegal business to ensure that such products are not found in the streets,” said Mr. Lyimo.

Following the incident, the DCEA boss cautioned pupils and students about being careful with the foods they consume and to stop joining bad groups, including using alcoholic drinks and substances they do not know, which may entice them to use.

“Even those young people smoking cigarettes may find themselves walking a long distance to find shisha with the feeling that it tastes good, but in reality it is mixed with skanka, after using it you are completely confused,” cautioned Mr Lyimo.