- Interpol backed 'Usalama' operation by eastern and southern Africa police
- Guns, vehicles, drugs, ivory seized
The Interpol-backed security operation conducted in eastern and southern Africa has resulted in the recovery of a wealth of elephant tusks and arms and acres of cannabis plantations destroyed, all in Tanzania. Inspector General of Police, Saidi Mwema
Inspector General of Police Saidi Mwema said the joint Operation code named ‘Usalama’ has been ‘a clear success based on the results.’
Mwema who is also Chairperson of Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO) said the operation brought together law enforcement officials from customs, immigration and the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service who worked with local police.
"We look forward to conducting similar operations of this nature…it is clear, together with regional and international organisations, we can combat crime more effectively," he said.
Elsewhere in Africa, thousands of checks against Interpol's stolen vehicle database resulted in a series of matches for vehicles reported stolen from various countries including Japan, Malaysia, South Africa and Britain.
A statement issued by the global police agency reports that at least 38 suspects of human trafficking have been arrested in Ethiopia, 28 human trafficking victims rescued and 15 suspects arrested in Uganda.
Further, the operation resulted in the recovery of 12 elephant tusks in Mozambique and Tanzania and the arrest of a woman in possession of six kg of heroin at Nairobi's international airport and in Botswana, diamond smugglers were nabbed.
On human trafficking, Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) Information Officer Andrew Maina said studies indicate at least 50 girls between the age of 10 and 15 are sold as sex workers to the main towns of Kenya every week.
Led by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO) with support from Interpol the operation targeted human, drugs and arms traffickers but it also resulted in the identification of hundreds of illegal immigrants.
"Hundreds of human trafficking victims have been saved, drugs and guns taken off the streets and serious criminals arrested through this operation, made possible through the leadership of EAPCCO and SARPCCO," Francis Rwego, head of Interpol's Regional Bureau in Nairobi, said.
Refugee rights organizations and aid agencies have blamed poverty in Africa for the rising cases of human trafficking and other crimes. According to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), up to 20,000 Somali and Ethiopian immigrants are smuggled into Kenya annually, South Africa being their final destination.
Supported by Interpol's Regional Bureaus in Nairobi and Harare, a series of pre-operational briefings were held to share intelligence on national and regional crime issues, identify trends and provide training on Interpol's global tools and services used during the three-day (July16-18) operation.
Among the participating EAPCCO member countries are Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Participating SARPCCO member countries include Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia.
Chilika Simfukwe, head of Interpol's Regional Bureau in Harare, said the dedication of all the law enforcement officers who took part in Operation Usalama led to its success and demonstrates the effectiveness of national and regional cooperation.
"Interpol stands ready to provide its continued assistance and support to law enforcement across the region and beyond," Simfukwe said.
"My experience as a police chief is that ultimately every crime is transnational and cross-border in nature. This calls for the need to work together more than ever to solve national and transnational crimes," summed the General Kale Kayihura, Inspector General of Police and Chairperson of EAPCCO.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
0 comments:
Post a Comment