According to Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), investigators discovered that a suspected drug trafficker purchased a scanner identical to those used at ports to test if concealed narcotics would be detected. Major General Mantey disclosed this information while appearing before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee. He further stated that traffickers are attempting to confuse sniffer dogs by mixing narcotics with other substances. Additionally, the NACOC boss reported a case involving an airport security supervisor who allegedly bypassed standard screening procedures by swapping bags in a washroom. He noted that subordinate staff often feel unable to challenge supervisors due to existing power dynamics. Major General Mantey also highlighted that poor working conditions and remuneration for security personnel increase vulnerability to bribery from trafficking networks. NACOC is currently collaborating with international counterparts to address these security challenges, though no specific timeline was provided for the ongoing investigations into the identified incidents.
Update (10:00 GMT): MyJoy News also reported on this story under the headline "Drug traffickers acquiring own scanners to evade detection at airports – NACOC boss". Read the MyJoy News report.
Update (10:30 GMT): Chale News also reported on this story under the headline "NACOC Explains Why Anti-Drug Agency Helped Arrest Cybercrime Suspect Abu Trica". Read the Chale News report.