DAR ES SALAAM, April 15 -- RECENT seizures of illicit drugs by Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) as enforcement authorities, while impressive, tell a story that is slightly less celebratory than it first appears. Nearly two tonnes of illicit drugs confiscated and dozens of suspects arrested in a coordinated crackdown is no small feat. It reflects commitment, coordination and capability. Yet, if seizures are the visible tip of the iceberg, then what lies beneath should keep policymakers wide awake, possibly with stronger coffee.

The scale of these operations signals both progress and persistence. The drug trade has not retreated; it has recalibrated. The notable surge in plant-based stimulants dominating recent seizures sugges...