The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) was established by section 3 of the Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 which came into force on 15^th September, 2015 . The Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 repealed the Drugs and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Drugs Act Act No. 9 of 1995 that had established the Drug Control Commission with responsibility coordinating drug control activities in the Country.

The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority was established to address the shortfalls in the institutional Framework as the Commission faced various challenges including lack of legal powers to investigate, arrest, search and seize.

The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) is vested with powers to conduct investigation, arrest, search and seize and became operational on 17^th February, 2017 upon appointment of the Commissioner General by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The functions of the Authority (DCEA) are to define, promote, coordinate and implement all measures geared towards control of drugs, drug abuse and trafficking in drugs.