Somali Police Reject Former Mogadishu Port Chief’s Allegations Over Narcotics Release
Police say claims of releasing illicit drugs at Mogadishu Port are false and politically motivated.
The Somali Police Force has strongly denied allegations made by the former commander of the Mogadishu Port police station, Colonel Ahmed Khadar Mohamed Hassan, who claimed he resigned after being ordered to allow the release of dangerous narcotics into the country.
Speaking at a brief ceremony held at Mogadishu Port, the Commander of the Somali Police Customs Unit, General Bariise, dismissed the allegations as fabricated and misleading, stressing that no narcotics were cleared through the port.
General Bariise clarified that the former port commander was on an official trip abroad at the time in question, and that the station had been under the leadership of an acting commander, who on Monday formally handed over responsibilities to the newly appointed port commander.
“There has been no release of narcotics from the port. These reports are false and baseless,” General Bariise said. “Today, the leadership transition was conducted officially and smoothly between the outgoing and incoming commanders.”
He emphasized that the handover process followed established procedures, rejecting claims of irregularities and reaffirming the police force’s commitment to law enforcement, accountability, and transparency.
The Somali Police said they remain vigilant in combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes, particularly at strategic facilities such as ports and airports.
