Somaliland Police Seized Cases of Alcohol Disguised as Sacks of Qat

Somaliland police have managed to seize alcohol hidden inside the sacks of Qat. Somaliland’s police chief – Brigadier General Mohamed Aden Saqadhi Dabagale – said that alcohol cases were hidden in the Qat sacks, and Qat was stacked on top to make it look as if the truck was carrying only Qat.

The police chief confirmed that an attempt was made to bribe the officers who seized the alcohol but they refused, at a time when some of them have not had their lunch break.

The police chief also stressed that drug traffickers use various different methods to smuggle alcohol and drugs into Somaliland.

When police seized the car, the alcohol shipment owner – who happens to be a woman – immediately sent two men with US$3,000 to be paid to the police officers to secure the release of the car and the driver. She further instructed the rescue mission if the bribe cash money does not persuade them offer to hand over truck’s title to the policemen in notarized documents to cover up the case.

This incident is a testament to the change in the ethics and values of the Somaliland police force and their commitment to their country and people to crack down on drugs.

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The police chief called on customs officials to be vigilant and keep eyes on alcohol and other illegal drugs hidden in the sacks of Qat and report it to the police.

It is an irony that Khat use – which was already wreaked an economic, social, and educational havoc in the country – has become a loophole facilitating the imports of drugs.