Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2003
Source: New Vision (Uganda)
Copyright: 2003 New Vision
Contact:  http://www.newvision.co.ug/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/522
Author: Steven Candia

STRENGTHEN LAW ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, LEADERS SAY

UGANDA was on Tuesday asked to strengthen her anti-narcotics laws to 
counter drug trafficking in the region.

The call was among the resolutions contained in a joint communique issued 
at the end of a three-day conference on drug trafficking for security 
chiefs in the region, held at Hotel Africana.

The director CID, Elizabeth Kuteesa, read out the communique.

It said drug traffickers and cartels had taken advantage of Uganda's weak 
laws to turn the country into a major trafficking conduit.

It said the anti-narcotics unit had bust a notorious drug-dealing cartel 
whose members were West Africans.

The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Adam Wood, called for greater 
cooperation between member states in the fight against drug trafficking and 
pledged more funding and technical support to the region.

Member states agreed to step up information exchange with international 
enforcement agencies, to effectively monitor sea cargo and to continue with 
regional training programmes.

Kuteesa said the improved profiling and a recent crack down on drug 
traffickers leading to a number of arrests at the Entebbe International 
Airport, has caused the traffickers to change tactics.

The conference was sponsored by the British government.
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