Tanzania has halted the registration of overseas vessels following a spate of drugs seizures.

President John Magufuli ordered a probe into the 470 ships flagged in the country to ascertain their activities.

He said the investigation was due to "drug seizures on board Tanzanian-flagged vessels," a statement from the presidency said.

News24 reported the president as saying: "We cannot allow the name of our country to be tarnished by individuals pursuing their selfish interests."