Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking: A Case Study from Dar es Salaam

Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking: A Case Study from Dar es Salaam

Islem Shebe Islem, who was previously convicted for trafficking 306.32 grams of heroin hydrochloride, recently saw his appeal dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Dar es Salaam, leading to an increase in his sentence from 30 years to life imprisonment. Islem had argued that the charge sheet was defective, the search of his home was illegal, the chain of custody was broken, the drugs were improperly admitted as evidence, and the prosecution failed to prove its case. However, the justices found no merit in Islem’s appeal.

The justices cited the Drug Control and Enforcement Act as they dismissed Islem’s appeal. They clarified that the charge sheet was not defective as the details of the offense were clear. Islem was fully informed about the nature and seriousness of the offense, they said.

Account of Arrest, Search and Seizure

The prosecution’s account of the arrest, search, and seizure of drugs from Islem’s house was corroborated by Islem’s account and a witness’s account. The justices also emphasized that an officer from the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority’s account of the events at the crime scene was not contested.

Islem claimed that the trial judge failed to appropriately analyze the evidence, but the justices disagreed. They pointed out that the prosecution’s cumulative evidence convincingly proved that Islem was in possession of the narcotic drugs. They were satisfied that the trial court adequately analyzed and evaluated the evidence from both sides and proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking

In relation to Islem’s 30-year sentence, the justices referred to the Drugs and Control Enforcement Act (DCEA) and concluded that the only sentence for a person convicted of drug trafficking is life imprisonment. They stated that the trial court should have sentenced Islem to life imprisonment, not 30 years.

Islem was convicted for trafficking heroin hydrochloride on July 20, 2018, at Magomeni Usalama Street, Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam Region. This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences that drug trafficking can bring, not only in terms of societal harm but also in the stringent legal penalties that those found guilty can face.