01 Sep 2026

In an effort to safeguard families, protect communities and secure the future of its people government remains committed to taking firm action against those who produce, supply and profit from illicit drugs.

This was revealed by Assistant Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Ms Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti during the official opening of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) narcotics investigation and enforcement course at the Otse Police College on Monday.

The six-month specialised training for officers of the DEA is offered to strengthen their knowledge, sharpen skills and reaffirm a collective resolve to deal with drug related offences.

“The security of our nation is ultimately measured not only by the threats we confront but how prepared we are to confront them. This course will strengthen their ability to investigate drug related offences, enforce the law and respond to the challenges they will face in the field,” said Ms Mophuting-Dikoloti.

She highlighted that the establishment of the DEA under the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 2018 marked an important step in Botswana’s response to the illicit drug trade

Its mandate is clear, to combat and eradicate the illicit production, supply, demand and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Drug trafficking and substance abuse are not victimless crimes as behind statistics are families who have watched loved ones struggle with addiction and young people whose lives are changed before they could realise their full potential, Ms Mophuting-Dikoloti said.

As families grappled with the phenomena, she said government’s response extended beyond enforcement to include prevention, public education, treatment rehabilitation and reintegration.

Ms Mophuting-Dikoloti explained that the DEA had continued to strengthen its capacity as it absorbed 29 internship officers in its permanent establishment last year, thus extending its human resource base.

“But an effective institution is ultimately defined by the people who carry out its mandate. This makes the partnership between the DEA and the BPS in delivering this programme particularly significant. I wish to commend the leadership and instructors at BPS for sharing their experience and expertise through this important programme,” she said.

The illicit drug trade is increasingly sophisticated and involves organised networks, financial transactions, technology, transportation routes and cross border connections hence Ms Mophuting-Dikoloti said tackling the problem required law enforcement agencies to work closely together, share information and coordinate their efforts.

Botswana Police Service (BPS) commissioner, Ms Dinah Marathe, said the course represented the institutional partnership, capability development and operational cooperation that Botswana required to confront contemporary and emerging security threats.

She said the training spoke directly to the direction set under the BPS Corporate Strategy 2026–2030 of building a modern, innovative and professional Police Service, supported by competent personnel, strong partnerships and the capacity to deliver quality investigations and other policing services.

“It demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthening our national law enforcement architecture and ensuring that the institutions entrusted with the security of this country are appropriately capacitated to respond to evolving threats. We remain grateful to government for the continued policy, institutional and material support extended to law enforcement agencies, particularly at a time when national resources are under considerable pressure,” she added.

Commissioner Marathe said Botswana’s geographical position also meant that it remained alert to vulnerability both as a destination and transit route for illicit substances, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, synthetic drugs and the abuse of pharmaceutical and pseudo-pharmaceutical substances.

She said combating illicit drugs and disrupting the organised syndicates behind the trade remained a priority for police chiefs within the SADC region.

“The regional concern is clear, organised crime does not recognise the borders or institutional jurisdictions within which law enforcement agencies operate. Therefore, we cannot effectively fight a network with isolated institutions. Neither can we successfully dismantle transnational organised crime through the efforts of the police alone,” said Ms Marathe. ENDS