LC3 Chairperson implicated over sale of dangerous drug

Police in Abim district on Saturday arrested an L.C3 chairperson following the shooting of a police officer who was guarding a vehicle impounded with several containers of dangerous potent gin –a local alcoholic drink transported from Lira district to Karamoja.

Sam Adam Okello the LC3 chairperson for Morulem sub-county in Abim district was arrested shortly after Zackary Muya 35, a police man was shot in the night hours.

Regional police spokesperson George Obia told this site that a Fuso truck registration number UAL 567D belonging to Mr. Okello the LC3 chairperson was impounded with a total of 75 Jeri cans of alcohol over the weekend.

“The vehicle was confiscated at around 9.00pm on Friday night with 19 Jeri cans of very dangerous crude alcohol locally made in Lira district specifically for sale in Karamoja” Obia explained.

Mr. Obia said the same vehicle was earlier on sighted with 56 containers of the drug but the driver kept on dodging the police.

However according to Mr. Obia, unidentified gunmen suspected to have been sent by Mr. Okello attacked the police station in the middle of the night of the same day and shot Mr. Muya in the hands.

“Mr. Muya sustained serious injuries and is admitted to hospital. We already have a list of suspects though only one arrest has so far been made” Obia said.

According to police, heavy consumption of crude waraji in Abim district has led to high crime rates inform of domestic violence and child negligence. The drink is also said to have led to increased epileptic cases in the district with fresh cases in Morulem health center and Abim hospital being attributed to excessive alcoholic content in the blood of most adults.

Abim District Police Commander, Erineo Wabwire said a by-law banning the transportation and sale of alcohol in the district was passed last year but the business community are still importing and selling the drug illegally.

“Alcohol has become the most profitable business in the district that no business man almost wants to do without it. Even with a strict law in place they still operate at night hours.” Mr. Wabwire explained.