Police to crackdown on marijuana, miraa substance abusers using old law
The Uganda Police has warned perpetrators of narcotic substances celebrating the recent scrapping of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 2015 by the Constitutional court to go slow.
Last week, the Constitutional Court squashed the law passed by Parliament for lack of quorum during its enactment in 2012, contrary to Articles 88 and 89 of the Constitution and Rule 23 of the Rules of Procedure of the 9th Parliament, 2012.
Following the development, a section of the public started jublilating with some concluding the possession, sale, growing of substances like ‘miraa’, cannabis, among others is legal and unrestricted.
However, the Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga has varying news. While addressing journalists on Monday at the police headquarters, he stated clearly that police still has the mandate to grab and arrest anyone dealing in narcotics under the National Drug Policy and Authority Act 1993.
Police to crackdown on marijuana, miraa substance abusers using old law
Sections 26, 29, 47, 49 and 60(1) (b) and (c) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act restricts the supply, possession, use and cultivation of narcotic substances. The Act created various offences for use and being in possession of the same substances without lawful excuse.
Part IV of the Act provides for the restrictions of Narcotics, Section 47, prohibits the possession of narcotics, without lawful excuse; Section 48, prohibits the smoking of opium or Indian hemp, use of premises by persons smoking opium or Indian hemp etc and Section 49 prohibits without consent of the Minister, cultivation of plants yielding narcotics.
He explains that the NDA found the substances to be harmful, to physical/mental health, relationships,career prospects , causing crime and affecting the wider society.
Enanga says all narcotics related offences will be pursued under the Act.
“Fortunately, the old law of the NDA was not affected by the ruling and is still in force. Therefore, the police, DPP and Judiciary, will continue to afford their old powers, to tackle narcotics related offences in the Act. The drugs under the NDA are illegal, because they are harmful and affects both physical and mental health, relationships, career prospects, crime and the wider society.” he said
According to the police spokesman; last year, a total of 2,797 cases of Narcotics/Drugs were reported to the police country wide, compared to 1,668 cases reported in 2021, thus giving a 67.7% increase in the crime category.
He adds that total of 4,818 suspects were arrested and charged to court, including 137 juveniles. Cannabis has consistently been the most used drug, followed by cocaine.
He further notes that all police commanders have been alerted to arrest people dealing in narcotic substances.
“All our territorial commanders have been instructed to maintain or step-up enforcement action against offenders and enhance deterrence efforts to help stop narcotic drugs consumption in the country and crimes driven by it. Our neighbourhoods don’t deserve to be victim to drug dealers,” says Enanga.
Police to crackdown on marijuana, miraa substance abusers using old law
