Police, Posta intercept sh229m drugs

By Andrew Ssenyonga            

The Police Anti-Narcotics Department and Posta Uganda have intercepted parcels containing 19 kilograms of marijuana and 795grames of heroin worth sh229m destined for the Netherlands in Europe.

Rufus. O. Okafor, 28, a Nigerian national and a resident of Munyonyo, in Kampala, was arrested after Police intercepted a parcel containing marijuana at Posta Uganda on Friday.

The suspect is also a student of Kampala University in Ggaba, a Kampala suburb

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court today.

 The Police Commissioner in charge of Narcotics (2nd Left) James Kyomukama looks on as art crafts containing drugs are dismantled at the CIID head offices on Jan 18, 2016. Photo by Nicholas Oneal

Kangahho, Posta Uganda manager security, said the parcel was heading for the Netherlands.  

"Recently, Posta Uganda was forced to strengthen their security system, and even introduced sniffer dogs to help in the search of contraband in the parcels. We are grateful we are seeing fruits," he said

Kangahho said an investigation revealed that the trafficking of the contraband is done by Nigerian nationals in Uganda.

"This group has been using parcels to send illicit drugs to European countries. Last year in December a similar parcel was sent but was detected in Kenya. That is why Kenya Airways put an embargo on some Ugandan courier service companies," Kangahho said.

The head of Anti-Narcotics Department at Criminal Intelligence Division in Kibuli, James Kyomukama, noted that the drug traffickers are now using new tricks concealing drugs for transit.

"A number of traffickers have developed a move of concealing drugs in wooden art crafts, while others put the drugs in the photo flames and pretend sending them to their friends in Europe," he explained.

In Uganda, it is punishable by three-month imprisonment or a Shs1 million fine or both. Illicit drug trade in Uganda is on the increase.