Police: Western needs help

 By BENNY GETENG

POLICE in Western need resources and manpower to tackle issues like the increase in drug trafficking on the international borders.

Provincial police commander Insp Silva Sika said  drug trafficking cases had increased on the borders with Indonesia and Australia.

He said at most times police were tipped off late and could not apprehend suspects.

“We need boats, logistical support and resources, which will support the limited resources we have to combat the illegal drug operations in the province,” he said.

“We have been trying our best but we need to be fully proactive if we want to totally eliminate the problem which is a worry in the province.

“We need to be properly resourced to counter the problems and strategise our operations.”

Sika said drug trafficking was a complex issue that seriously affected young people.

“The drugs arrive by air and sea and even road into the province, especially from the highlands of the country,” he said.

“The young people in Western are used as middlemen on behalf of the dealers and buyers. Police eventually arrest the middlemen while the real perpetrators have gone.

“I appeal to the youth of Western to refrain from such activities and venture into other meaningful businesses.”

Sika said courts in the province were cooperating with police and imposing tough sentences on those convicted of drug trafficking.

“The convicted persons for drug trafficking will be repatriated to their own provincial jails to serve time there,” he said. 

“After they serve their sentences they will not be able to enter Western for five years.”