Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: New Vision (Uganda)
Copyright: 2005 New Vision
Contact:  http://www.newvision.co.ug/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/522
Author: Madinah Tebajjukir

'ANTI-NARCOTIC COPS LACK SKILLS'

KAMPALA - The Criminal investigation Department (CID) chief, Elizabeth
Kutesa, has said the majority of the narcotic staff lack adequate skills and
detecting equipment to handle drug abuse and trafficking.

"Less than 50% of the Anti-narcotics Unit staff have benefited from
courses. Many use trial and error methods or gambling on the job," she
said.

Kutesa said this in a speech read by the commissioner of crime, Edison
Mbiringi, at the regional course on drug investigative techniques at
Kireka sports view hotel on Friday.

She said the narcotic drugs situation was a horrific problem in the
East African region, which must be addressed immediately.

"Drug investigations need dedication, self restraint and integrity. We
need to exercise maximum discipline when executing our duties," she
said.

Addressing participants from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda,
Kutesa said narcotics investigations were complicated compared to
other criminal cases.

"The drug problem is spreading like wildfire in the bush starting from
the urban centres to the rural areas," she said.

She said slum areas such as Kisenyi in Kampala and others in Nairobi
and Dar es salaam were targeted by illicit drug traffickers who use
the regions ports as transit routes for the contraband to the west.
Kutesa said criminals use sophisticated measures to conceal drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin