Pubdate: Thu, 08 Sep 2005
Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya)
Copyright: 2005 The East African Standard
Contact:  http://www.eastandard.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743
Author: Cyrus Ombati

WE ARE AHEAD OF DRUG BARONS, POLICE SAY

The handling of illicit drugs dropped last month compared to July.

A police report says there were 559 cases last month compared to 732 in July
compared to 569 in June.

There were 449 and 475 drug cases reported in May and April respectively.

And Police Commissioner Maj Gen Hussein Ali said his men were ahead of the
drug barons.

Ali commended the Anti-Narcotics Unit, which he said was one step ahead of
the issues.

Comparatively, there were 5,300 cases in 2001, 4,467 in 2002, 4,742 in 2003
and 4,627 last year. The most handled drug was marijuana followed by madrax,
heroine and cocaine.

"The unit is doing a commendable job as indicated by the seizures recorded
so far," he said.

He wants the public to help them tame the vice by providing vital
information. Ali told a seminar in Mombasa recently that vigilance by the
agencies had been stepped up especially at major entry points and on the
highways.

"Kenya is not a dumping site=85 it is used as a transit point. The seizures
being made at the airports and ports speak loud on the same but we are
determined to tame the practice," he said.

Most of the seized drugs are consumed locally and the young generation is
the most affected. Mombasa leads in the abuse of drugs followed by Malindi,
Nairobi and Western Kenya. Marijuana, which is also known as bhangi is the
most commonly used in Kenyan.

The police came into the limelight last year when they seized some Sh6.4
billion worth cocaine haul in Malindi and Nairobi.

Ali said the haul was safe and secure at the General Service Unit Training
School in Embakasi. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh