The Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi commended the anti-narcotics officers and other security agencies for ensuring drug traffickers do not use the country as a safe haven to do their trade.

Drug smuggling and distribution are running rampant throughout the world, with many countries having issues with people bringing them in and out to make a profit. Because of this, border control is on high alert all the time to catch these people. Despite it being a serious offense, there is still a need for criminal attorneys such as Old Bailey Solicitors to be used for the representation of those who have committed these crimes or have been accused. This bust has proven to be fruitful this time, hopefully, this will continue in other countries too.

“Trafficking in narcotics is one of the transnational organized crimes like human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism. These crimes are committed by criminals that are highly organized and their activities have global impact on the society they operate in. If not checked, drugs can disrupt social order. That is why every effort is made by countries to have these crimes stopped,” Maj. Gen. Sabiiti said.

“We have created a department of anti-narcotics to specifically deal with crimes arising from drug trafficking and abuse. This shows how the government and the police leadership are determined to ensure that the population is protected from crimes arising from drugs,” he said.

He added that drug abuse has an effect on the lives of youths, most of whom are addicted to them and are living with complicated health and social issues. There might not be enough substantial drug rehabilitation centers (like www.aristarecovery.com in the US) there to take care of this problem too.

The Deputy IGP noted that HIV prevalence among drug users is at 17% compared to the national prevalence rate of 6%, adding that drug abuse is very difficult to deal with and expensive to treat.

“Once one starts drug abuse, getting away from it is very difficult. Addiction is a complicated condition that is difficult to deal with, I urge all people to desist from taking drugs. Uganda Police Force shall remain at the forefront of ensuring that our society is free from drugs,” Maj. Gen. Sabiiti said.

Maj Gen. Sabiiti noted that one of the ways being used to tackle drug abuse and trafficking in narcotics is to strengthen the anti narcotics department and capacity building.

The drugs destroyed on Thursday included 68.57kgs of heroin, 16.50kgs of cocaine, 4.0kgs of methamphetamine, 12.422kgs of marijuana, and 148.46kgs of cathe edulis.