Law enforcers entangled with narcotics raise credibility questions
The recent arrest of eight, including four officers from the Excise Department, who had in their possession about 45 kilos of cannabis, has once again brought to light the pervasive issue of drug abuse within law enforcement circles in Sri Lanka.
Instances like these raise questions about the effectiveness of measures to combat drug trafficking and misuse.
How do authorities entrusted with the task of curbing drug-related activities find themselves entangled in the very web they are supposed to dismantle?
The Sunday Times delved further into understanding how the system regulates itself and combats illegal drug abuse, and what are the roles of various authorities.
The Commissioner General of the Sri Lanka Excise Department, J.M. Gunasiri, related a recent incident where eight Excise Department officers were arrested for possessing 45 kilos of Kerala cannabis. They were interdicted, and the case is being transferred to the court in the Chilaw area.
“The department will take firm disciplinary action against them, with further proceedings pending in court. The department has been re-organised,” he said.
The deputy director of the Customs Narcotic Unit, M.R.W. Kumara, said its role is in transferring cases to relevant authorities and ensuring that illegal drugs are not brought in. “Those are strictly prohibited in our country and that is why they try to smuggle them (in),” he said.
Customs monitors and checks attempts to smuggle illegal substances. Suspects are handed over to agencies such as the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) of Sri Lanka or the police.
Ranjith Wickramasinghe of the scientific laboratory of NDDCB said, the department mainly concentrates on rehabilitation and aiding in the prevention of drug abuse.
Prosecutions are the responsibility of the Police Narcotic Bureau and other relevant authorities, under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
NDDCB chairman, Shakya Nanayakkara, said the focus is on policy-making, planning, and implementation, to combat drug use. There are two strategies: supply reduction and demand reduction. Supply reduction involves collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as the police, army, and navy, while demand reduction focuses on policy-making and education initiatives.
The authority manages drug use through three main categories: prevention, treatment, and through rehabilitation centres. Prevention efforts include campaigns, leaflets, and community engagement to educate individuals, particularly youth, about the harmful effects of drugs.
Collaboration with non-governmental organisations further supports efforts to discourage drug use.
In treatment, individuals are provided with care and rehabilitation. “There are four rehabilitation centres operated by the department, where individuals can voluntarily seek treatment.”
The department also oversees seven rehabilitation centres within the prison department and monitors an additional 20 private rehabilitation centres registered under the NDDCB. A ‘narcotic drug testing unit’ analyses suspected substances and traces drug use through urine and saliva testing.
Treatment development and rehabilitation officers are appointed to divisional secretariats.
“I appeal to the public to make use of these officers as they are highly trained and qualified graduates. If you know of anyone in your community, whether it's your child, spouse, or anyone else, who is struggling with addiction to illegal drugs or anything else, please reach out to them. You don't have to come
all the way to Colombo to seek help; you can simply contact them at your divisional secretariat and get assistance. They are very approachable and communicate well, so please make use of them,’’ Mr Nanayakkara advised.
Mr Nanayakkara said the NDDCB runs a narcotic drug testing unit. Recently, items like toffees, lozenges, and candies have raised suspicions. “Individuals can submit these items for testing at our laboratory. However, only a small percentage, about 5%, tested positive for substances like cannabis. The remaining items may be part of marketing strategies, sold to us for evaluation."
“If police suspect individuals of using illegal substances or drugs, they refer them to us for testing. We analyse their urine and saliva samples. Certain drugs can be traced in samples for up to three days, while others may be detectable for a couple of weeks, typically ranging from two to three weeks.’’
Addressing instances where department officers are implicated in drug-related offences, he admitted that sometimes staff are seduced and lured by drug traffickers and the mafia.
“They manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals, including our trained officers, enticing them into their illicit activities.
“We have implemented a programme aimed at ‘de-breezing’ our officers after a period to reinforce their resistance to the allure of drugs and provide them with training. It involves providing additional training and support to reinforce their commitment to enforcing drug laws and resisting the allure of illegal substances. This process includes counselling, education on the consequences of drug involvement, and strategies for maintaining professionalism and integrity in their roles as law enforcement or customs officers.’’
The NDDCB's approach covers prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts.
They manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals, including our trained officers, enticing them into their illicit activities