Maputo, Mozambique — Mozambican border posts, ports and airports will soon be equipped with sophisticated drug detection machinery to enhance the fight against drug trafficking, reports Thursday's issue of the daily paper 'Noticias'.

The equipment is due to be delivered in Maputo by the second half of March, and it has been acquired as part of the Mozambican government's plan, financed by the Italian government, to fight the illicit trade in drugs.

The head of the International Cooperation Department, in the Central Drug Prevention and Combat Office (GCPCD), Nadir Izidine, told journalists that the equipment includes "assorted machinery, vehicles and other sophisticated materials that will allow the police force to detect drugs, no matter how camouflaged they may be".

Speaking at the opening of the second training course for anti-drug brigades staff, Izidine explained that this equipment will be used by the staff now under training, and this represents a major step forwards in the fight against drug trafficking.

"The equipment comes via South Africa and will be installed at the borders, and in ports and airports. At the same time, we will also have vehicles appropriate for this kind of operation, as a means to render the brigades more operational", he said.

The course is the second in a series of three, designed to train 80 agents to fight against drug trafficking.