Kisugu Police Station in Kampala is set to arraign 97 people in court on charges of smoking and selling the banned cannabis.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, says the suspects were picked up during an operation on illegal drug dealers and suspected criminals in Kisugu, Namuwongo, Go Down and Kanyogoga.
Onyango says police was prompted to conduct the operation following numerous cries of residents about involved in drug abuse, thefts, burglary and sex related offenses.
“When we received information about groups engaging in criminal activities, we sent our intelligence teams and mapped the spot areas. We arrested 140 but after screening we remained with 97 suspects,” Onyango said.
Police says the suspects will appear before Luzira magistrate’s court on Friday on charges of possession, distribution and smoking banned substances.
Onyango however dismissed claims by relatives of the suspects that only those who couldn’t pay the officers Shillings 50,000 were detained.
“Whenever we arrest suspects in big numbers, claims of extortion come up. It’s their safety trick intended to taint the police image. We no longer contact LC 1 chairpersons because they often tip them off and they run away,” said Onyango.
