Police probe source of 261 passports recovered in Soroti crackdown

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Police in Soroti city have arrested a man suspected of illegally selling immigration documents following an intelligence-led operation conducted on Sunday (February 22).

The suspect, whose identity has been withheld by security agencies, is a resident of Orwadai cell in Soroti City East Division. Authorities accuse him of dealing in passports, yellow fever vaccination cards and certificates of good conduct.

According to Ibrahim Saiga, the Kyoga East regional police commander, officers recovered 261 passports during the operation.

“We are yet to verify their authenticity with the relevant authorities,” Saiga said, adding that another suspect managed to flee and is currently being pursued.

Ibrahim Saiga, the Kyoga East regional police commander, urged members of the public to report individuals or groups dealing in suspicious immigration documents. (File photo)

Police say preliminary investigations are underway to establish the origin of the recovered documents and identify any possible accomplices involved in the suspected racket.

Saiga urged members of the public to report individuals or groups dealing in suspicious immigration documents, warning that such activities undermine lawful travel processes and expose victims to fraud.

Demand for passports has been rising across both urban and rural areas, largely driven by increasing interest in overseas employment opportunities.

Security agencies believe the growing demand has created an opportunity for unscrupulous individuals to exploit desperate job seekers by charging exorbitant fees for documents they are not authorised to issue.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the seized passports are genuine or forged, but investigations are ongoing to determine their authenticity and how the suspect obtained them.