Editor,

I would like to congratulate Rwanda National Police for arresting these criminals (Three arrested with cocaine worth Rwf700m, The New Times, February 15).

But the fact we have this sudden high number of interceptions may indicate probes by traffickers to determine weak points in our airport’s anti-trafficking procedures. Unless, of course, the intercepts represent only a small proportion of what might be getting through and therefore an acceptable cost of doing business for the real master traffickers behind these simple ‘mules’ who have been caught.

Our police and airport security must not maintain a high degree of vigilance, but rather increase it as much as possible. We must not allow our country to become a transit point for this global poison or even a destination for it; that could end up destroying our young people.

We must also do everything necessary to stop those who might believe that they can make a fast buck by selling drugs in this country.

The sanctions against distributing, selling and buying drugs should be increased to make them very costly and sufficiently dissuasive, and more resources should be invested in sensitising the youth against illicit drug consumption. This should be done in conjunction with increased resources for the security forces’ anti-drug efforts and stepped up health and community youth programmes to promote better and healthier living among our youth.

Mwene Kalinda