Moses Nampala
1 July 2008
Kampala — THE law on drug trafficking should be reviewed to support the efforts aimed at fighting the crime, the deputy director of the anti-narcotics squad, Robert Obaja, has said, reports Moses Nampala.
He noted that due to the weak laws, more people were being involved in the practice.
"The culprits we net with heroin and cocaine always tell us not to waste their time by subjecting them to interrogation. They insist on being rushed to the courts," said Obaja.
He cited an incident early this year when a Tanzanian national was arrested at Entebbe Airport with 5kg of heroin.
"When the suspect appeared before the court, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined sh400,000 yet the drugs were worth sh1b," Obaja said during a workshop organised by the National Drug Authority at Rock Classic Hotel in Tororo last week.
In 2007, a total of 1,340kgs of drugs were impounded compared to18.94kg seized in 2006, he added.
The officer in charge narcotics at the Malaba border, Patrick Owor, said the efforts to scrutinise the passengers at the border were being frustrated by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
"URA officials often discourage us from scrutinising luggage saying the exercise might cause unnecessary congestion and delay the passengers," said Owor.
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