POLICE in Mara Region have arrested 395 individuals on suspicion of various criminal activities, including suspected murder, livestock theft plus the trafficking and sale of narcotics.

SACP Pius Lutumo, the regional police commander, said in remarks to journalists here on Wednesday that the suspects were apprehended during a special operation conducted in the outgoing month.

It was meant to curb criminal activities during the year end festive season, covering Musoma, Butiama, Bunda and Serengeti districts.

Police seized a total of 2,877 litres of illegal local hard liquors in 10 barrels of 200 litres each, along with 14 distilling equipment, he said.

Law enforcers also seized 14,000 rolls of cannabis sativa (bhang), 30 bundles of khat, he said, noting that fines were meted out for 3,341 road safety violations with some cases taken to court.

A range of stolen items were recovered including radios, TV sets, mobile phones, computers, gas cylinders, motorcycles and a boat engine, he further noted.

Eight suspects are being questioned in connection with a shop burglary on the night of December 22 in the Kariakoo area of Bweri ward, he said, urging the public to provide information on crimes and criminals, to ensure peaceful and safe celebrations.

In October this year, the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) arrested 17 individuals for involvement in the cultivation of 3,007.5 acres of cannabis, which was destroyed during a three-week operation in the Serengeti and Tarime districts of the Mara Region.

Marijuana cultivation has become a significant illegal activity in the Mara River valley, often in remote and less-policed areas, as the region offers the ideal conditions for growing the plant, with rich soil, reliable rainfall and the right temperatures.

The cultivation is largely driven by local and cross-border demand, especially from nearby countries, where marijuana is sought for recreational and medicinal purposes, the agency intimated.