Infrastructural Deficit to Sniffer Dogs: 5 revelations by NACOC boss at PAC sitting

Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Mantey, made a series of revelations when he appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Among other things, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, disclosed that suspected drug traffickers are using sophisticated methods to evade screening procedures at the ports

He said these methods being adopted by traffickers, coupled with weaknesses in the country's security systems and inadequate infrastructure, were making it difficult for security agencies to intercept narcotics.

Here are five key revelations from his appearance before the committee.

1. Suspected traffickers are buying their own scanners

Major General Mantey revealed that NACOC was investigating a case involving a suspected drug trafficker who had bought a scanner to determine whether it could detect drugs.

He disclosed that NACOC was investigating a case involving a suspected drug trafficker who had bought a scanner to determine whether it could detect drugs.

2. Traffickers are mixing drugs with substances to mislead sniffer dogs

The NACOC boss also revealed that some suspected drug traffickers were mixing narcotics with substances intended to throw sniffer dogs off the scent.

3.An airport security supervisor allegedly bypassed screening procedures

Major General Mantey recounted an incident involving an airport security supervisor who allegedly exploited his position to bypass established security protocols.

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According to him, the supervisor entered the airport with a bag, went to a washroom to change and proceeded towards a flight with a bag reportedly used by a traveller.

He said the incident highlighted the difficulty junior officers could face in enforcing security checks when dealing with their superiors.

4. NACOC lacks the infrastructure needed to fight traffickers effectively

Major General Mantey said suspected traffickers were exploiting weaknesses in the country’s security systems while NACOC struggled with inadequate infrastructure.

“Traffickers are motivated because they see weaknesses in our system. But we are demotivated because we don't have the requisite infrastructure to fight them,” he told the committee.

He added that the huge financial returns from drug trafficking encouraged offenders to take greater risks.

“Their returns are huge and so they will do anything,” he said, stressing the need for security personnel to remain vigilant.

5. International partners are supporting NACOC’s forensic capabilities

Major General Mantey disclosed that NACOC was sharing intelligence with French, European and American counterparts to strengthen international cooperation against drug trafficking.

He added that international partners had provided equipment worth about $46,000 to NACOC’s forensic laboratory, with a commitment to provide further support in the fight against drug trafficking.

JKB/VPO

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