Pubdate: Mon, 20 Dec 2004
Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya)
Copyright: 2004 The East African Standard
Contact:  http://www.eastandard.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743
Author: Moses Njagih
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

WHY DRUGS IS A HARD NUT TO CRACK FOR POLICE

NAIROBI -- The police are ill-equipped to fight drug trafficking, the 
Government has said.

National Security minister Chris Murungaru said the police could not 
effectively fight the menace without proper equipment.

Dr Murungaru admitted that the force did not have the capacity to fight the 
multi-billion drug industry barons who had found transit points for the 
illegal consignments through the country.

He, however, said despite the handicap, the police were trying to block all 
entry points.

Murungaru said the recent seizure of Sh5 billion worth of cocaine suspected 
to have being on transit was a plus to the force, adding that some suspects 
had been arrested.

He said more arrests will be made and may go as far as Poland and South 
America.

"We should be proud of what the police are capable of doing, especially 
with the poor equipment that they have. The Government is, however, trying 
to improve on that to make the force more efficient," he said.

Speaking during a funds drive in aid of Karichen Police Post in his Kieni 
constituency, Murungaru said the Government would also improve the terms 
and conditions of services for the security officers to make them more 
efficient.

He said Kenya's location and improved infrastructure had made it an 
attractive transit point for illegal goods.

"Our regional harbour both by sea and air has made the country an 
attractive transit point for smugglers," Murungaru said.

He said arrests have already been made on suspects in the cocaine haul that 
was seized in Malindi.

Kemyans renting buildings to foreigners have been urged to demand details 
of their tenants, adds Mathias Ringa.

Nacada national co-ordinator, Mr Joseph Kaguthi, said this would help the 
police to trace people suspected to be involved in drugs trafficking and 
other vices.

Kaguthi made the call at Reef Hhotel during a workshop for District Officers.

The owners of the luxurious villas and cottages dotting the Coast line must 
ensure they get the identities and particulars of people who rent their 
buildings.

"There are massive number of villas and cottages in the Coast which can 
easily be used by drug dealers. The owners can help the government by 
having documentation of their tenants", he said.

Kaguthi noted that it would be unlawful for landlords to condone illegal 
trade just because they collected rent every month.

In case they learn later that their tenants engage in illegal trade they 
should alert the police or the provincial administration so that the 
foreigners can be arrested.

Last week police recovered 701 kilograms of cocaine at a luxurious villa in 
Malindi.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl