Following the deployment of police in crime hotspots in Torit town, police arrested 3 men after they were found dealing drugs and gambling on Thursday last week
According to authorities, this is the eleventh time marijuana is intercepted this year with seven cases in Torit town alone.
The majority of the suspects escaped while others were arrested and are currently remanded to Torit prison.
The suspects ranging from 28 to 50 years of age were found along Kinetye riverbank selling marijuana or Bangi while gambling.
Police spokesperson, Major Justine Kleopus Takuru, said the suspects will face the law while the security forces continue to do their best to ensure security during the festivities.
Maj. Kleopus says the suspects were very many but others escaped during the search.
“On Thursday morning, we started our plans and sent forces around 9 am to the bank of Kinetye River. We found a group of people trading in Bangi, they sell openly to people, there were those smoking and some are young children. Three were arrested but the majority of them jumped into the river and swam away to escape because they know if they are captured they will face the law,” Maj. Kleopus said.
“The three were arrested with exhibits, this is Bangi and even we found motorbikes at the scene and there was a lot of money. We even found children of 12 years, we found there a very bad situation. This is a great achievement and we will continue with patrols and this will be more than that of last year,” he added.
Maj. Kleopus urged parents to care for their children instead of allowing them to join peer groups.
Meanwhile, the director for CID in Eastern Equatoria State, Colonel Gabriel Guet Kong, said the police have to ensure criminals are weeded out of the community.
“These are security threats. There are a lot of problems because there are many criminals who are smoking weed and we are working on that based on the directives from state police commissioner to ensure illegal things are not practiced in the state,” Col. Guet said.
“I want to tell our people to let us not destroy our children because these children have to grow for the future. If we put these children in school it will bring good results in the country not that we have to put our children in risky places like smoking Bangi even we have illegal alcohol children are drinking. Everybody should monitor his or her child,” Col. Guet advised.
He urged the local population to desist from drug dealing to save the future of the young people.