By Bida Elly David
Juba City Council Mayor Flora Gabriel has revealed that she plans to launch a crackdown on traders selling illicit drugs to young people.
Last year, she warned traders against selling drugs to young people, as most are toxic.
Despite initial warnings, some traders or drug shop owners seem to have not heeded the call, prompting the city authority to be tough.
Speaking on Thursday, Flora stated that most young boys are involved in toxic drugs, which cause mental and physical problems for the youth.
She also stated that two-thirds of young people engage in crimes due to their drug consumption.
Flora plans to conduct inspections in every market across Juba to crack down on traders involved in selling toxic drugs.
The Mayor also urged young people to gain skills through training, stating that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Central Equatoria State governor H.E Emmanuel Adil Anthony promised to crack down on criminals during the festive season, directing the mayor to conduct market-to-market and suburb inspections to confiscate drugs and apprehend dealers.
In March 2023, the Juba City Council arrested 20 suspected drug dealers, including foreign nationals, in the Mauna residential area.
The City Council had also confiscated illicit drugs, including opium and “Marungi”.