POLICE | CRIME | MARIJUANA

KAMPALA - The Police in Kampala have declared continuous operations to weed out a group of suspected criminals selling marijuana to the youths who in turn engage in criminal activities. 

So far, 14 suspected have been arrested in Nansana town in Wakiso district.

Two of them are suspected hardcore criminals who have been on the Police watch list for allegedly engaging in a series of crimes, including waylaying pedestrians and motorists in the evening rush hours and snatching valuables from them. 

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, explained that the 14 youths were arrested during a night-time operation conducted in the zones of Bampu, Kibulooka and along Nabweru road and surrounding areas.

Onyango said the Police recovered exhibits, including marijuana from the hideouts of the suspected criminals. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

He identified the suspects as Lawrence Male, Hassan Musisi, Henry Muwawu, Joel Kivumbi, Hussein Wasswa, Alex Ssebulime, Shafic Kayende, Kigundu Ramathan, Abuneri Karim, Savior Amande, Muhammed Swalik, Michael Tumusiime, Isma Luyinda and Ivan Hakizimana.

Onyango said the Police recovered exhibits, including marijuana from the hideouts of the suspected criminals.

He said three of them (Hassan Musisi, Hussein Wasswa and Joel Kivumbi) had long evaded Police arrest and were regularly involved in pickpocketing and selling marijuana. 

The suspects, according to Onyango, will be charged with being in possession of narcotic drugs.

Some of the exhibits Police found with the suspects.

Police vowed that the operations will continue in other places in the Metropolitan Area to smoke out the main suppliers of the 'weed' to the youths.

Meanwhile, the Police have also arrested a woman suspected to be a wholesale supplier of marijuana, who allegedly has a network of other dealers who pick the weed from her place and sell to youths.

Onyango identified the woman as 36-year-old Christine Mukachuma, who also disguises as a dealer in cultural items. 

She was arrested Friday at her home in Ganda-Nasere in Kyebando parish.

The Police later searched her homestead and recovered a number of items, including 26 bundles of opium.

She was detained at Nansana Police Station from where she would later be produced in court.