(Entebbe) – A significant quantity of cocaine was intercepted at Entebbe International Airport during a coordinated operation involving the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) customs officers, the Special Forces Command (SFC), and the Anti-Narcotic Police Unit. The bust, which occurred in the early hours yesterday, led to the arrest of a Nigerian national suspected of attempting to smuggle the narcotics into the country.
The suspect arrived aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha at approximately 12:10 a.m. Routine baggage screening by customs officers detected suspicious images in the luggage. Closer inspection revealed tins in the bag containing concealed cocaine. The Aviation Police Narcotics Team conducted a thorough check, confirming the contents as illegal narcotics.
The suspect was promptly taken into custody and is being held at the Airport Police Station.
Background and Intelligence Efforts
The operation was facilitated by intelligence gathered by the Uganda Police Narcotics Team, which flagged the suspect as a possible drug trafficker before his arrival. Authorities are now investigating the origins of the cocaine and any links to broader organized crime networks.
The intercepted cocaine is classified as a prohibited substance under Uganda’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 2016 and international conventions such as the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
| Details of the Drug Bust | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight Origin | Doha, Qatar |
| Time of Arrival | 12:10 a.m. |
| Nationality of Suspect | Nigerian |
| Drug Concealment Method | Hidden in tins within luggage |
| Custody Location of Suspect | Airport Police Station |
Drug Smuggling Incidents at Entebbe
Drug smuggling at Entebbe International Airport has been a recurring issue. Authorities intercepted 9.8 kilograms of cocaine in March 2023, valued at Shs 4 billion, from another Nigerian national.
Later that year, the Kampala Metropolitan Police destroyed over 56 kilograms of narcotics confiscated at the airport between 2020 and 2023, with an estimated value of Shs 3 billion.
| Recent Drug Seizures at Entebbe | Details |
|---|---|
| March 2023 | 9.8 kilograms of cocaine seized, worth Shs 4 billion |
| 2020–2023 | 56 kilograms of narcotics destroyed, worth Shs 3 billion |
Authorities reiterated that drug trafficking remains a serious crime, punishable under stringent laws. Efforts to counter smuggling are being intensified, with collaborations between national security agencies and international partners.
The public is urged to report suspicious activities to authorities and remain vigilant against drug trafficking networks.
