Cannabis Destroyed Ssebutinde Report

The Anti-Narcotics Unit has destroyed 400 tonnes of cannabis plants and processed herbs worth sh2.3b in an operation in Samia-Bugwe County of Busia district. The operation from April 18 to 20, was concentrated in Buhehe sub-county and conducted on 27 gardens. It covered 40 acres in Muhoho, Bunyawudu, Bunyadeti and Munganiro, all bordering Kenya. Police officers deployed at the affected villages uprooted 600,000 plants of cannabis and impounded 35 bags of processed herbal cannabis from dealers. Buhehe subcounty has been notorious for growing cannabis and exporting it through Kenya. The officer in-charge of the anti-narcotics unit, Johnson Ayela, said 11 people, including dealers, were arrested. Acting CID director Erasmus Opio yesterday told the press that the people who cultivated cannabis feigned ignorance of the law. "There is need to educate the people on the illegality of this plant," he said. Ends