Wednesday January 15, 2025
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Abdiaziz Sheikh Ismail Sheikh Hassan addresses the media in Hargeisa, flanked by police officials and religious leaders, announcing the launch of a three-week nationwide campaign to combat drug trafficking in Somaliland.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somaliland has launched a nationwide three-week campaign to combat drug trafficking, targeting smugglers, distributors, and users. The initiative, led by the Somaliland police in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and local clerics, underscores the government's determination to address the growing narcotics crisis.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Abdiaziz Sheikh Ismail Sheikh Hassan, speaking at a press conference in Hargeisa, issued orders to all police commanders to prioritize the operation.
"The police are committed to intercepting smugglers, dismantling distribution networks, and ensuring that offenders face justice," Lieutenant Colonel Abdiaziz said. "The operation is vital to safeguarding our communities."
The campaign will focus heavily on Somaliland's porous borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti, identified as major entry points for narcotics. Authorities aim to strengthen border security and disrupt smuggling routes that have long fueled the drug trade in the region.
Past efforts by Somaliland police have targeted smugglers, but this operation is broader in scope and duration, reflecting the problem's urgency.
In a unique approach, the campaign incorporates religious and community leaders. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Somaliland Agency for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice are working alongside law enforcement to address the societal and moral dimensions of drug abuse.
"The campaign is not just about law enforcement," Lieutenant Colonel Abdiaziz added. "It's about educating and protecting our communities from the harmful effects of narcotics."
Drug trafficking and abuse have become significant challenges for Somaliland, with far-reaching consequences for public health and safety. Officials hope this campaign will serve as a turning point in curbing the influence of narcotics on vulnerable populations.