Police in Iganga District have arrested 31 suspects in a crackdown targeting the possession, use and sale of marijuana. The suspects, including 30 men and one woman, are being detained at Iganga Central Police Station pending further investigations and prosecution.
The operation followed intelligence reports linking the abuse and distribution of illicit drugs, particularly marijuana, to an increase in criminal activities in the district.
According to a security intelligence operative who spoke on condition of anonymity, the operation was intended to disrupt the marijuana supply chain, which allegedly targets young people and, in some cases, draws them into criminal activities.
The operative said the supply networks operate through syndicates that allegedly use unsuspecting individuals, including street-connected children, to deliver marijuana to selected clients.
He said some of the clients are suspected members of criminal gangs already on the security watch list. The gang members allegedly redistribute the drugs to their associates, who may then use them while carrying out criminal activities.
However, one of the suspects, who also requested anonymity, denied the allegations against him. He claimed that he grows marijuana in his backyard and uses it to feed his chicken. He further claimed that he supplies the plant to other farmers in the area for use as an herbal remedy for poultry.
The claims could not be independently verified. There is no established scientific evidence cited in the case supporting the use of marijuana as a treatment or immunity booster for poultry.
Michael Kasadha, the spokesperson for the Busoga East Police Region, said the suspects were allegedly involved in waylaying unsuspecting members of the public and robbing them, particularly during peak hours.
Kasadha said Tuesday’s operation focused mainly on ghettos and congested communities where police intelligence had identified individuals allegedly involved in the illegal sale of marijuana.
Nineteen suspects were arrested from Ssaza Road and Kaliro Road, while three were arrested in Buligo, five in Nakalama Sub-county and four in Bunyiiro.
Police also recovered unspecified quantities of locally processed marijuana, some of it dried and rolled in small pieces of white paper for consumption, as well as fresh marijuana leaves packed in plastic bags.
Three machetes were also recovered. Police allege that the weapons were used to threaten or assault members of the public and compel them to surrender during robberies.
Kasadha said the suspects are facing charges of illegal possession of narcotic drugs and possession of dangerous weapons allegedly intended for use in causing harm to members of the public.
He urged young people to take advantage of government poverty-alleviation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), to establish legitimate sources of income instead of engaging in criminal activities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
