• All 84,000 officers to be vetted under DIG supervision
• 1,911 sent for rehab in five months
• Public urged to report WP crime via 0777128128

The Police have launched a sweeping islandwide background check of all officers amid mounting allegations of involvement in drug trafficking and efforts to obstruct related investigations.

Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney F.U. Wootler said that information had surfaced linking several officers to drug networks, including instances of tipping off traffickers. Disciplinary action has already been initiated, with some officers suspended from duty.

The move marks the start of a force-wide vetting process targeting all 84,000 Police personnel. The checks, to be carried out under the supervision of Deputy Inspectors General, will involve detailed background scrutiny of individual officers.

“These inspections will cover every officer in the country. No one will be shielded due to their position within the Police,” Wootler said, stressing that those found culpable would face strict legal action.

The probe follows a series of cases in which officers themselves have been accused of aiding drug traffickers and undermining enforcement operations.

Meanwhile, authorities reported progress under the ‘A Nation United’ national anti-drug campaign, with 1,911 individuals rehabilitated over the past five months.

Updating the campaign’s progress, Wootler said that a dedicated WhatsApp hotline, 0777128128, had been introduced to enable the public to report criminal activity in the Western Province. In addition, all 608 Police stations are now linked to the 1997 and 119 emergency lines to strengthen reporting on organised crime.

Since the launch of the operation on 30 October 2025, Police have seized significant quantities of narcotics, including 1,071 kilograms and 338 grams of heroin, 1,938 kilograms and 299 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 4,917 kilograms and 387 grams of cannabis, and 99,454 narcotic pills. So far this year, 656 kilograms of heroin have been seized.

Over the same period, 114,000 suspects have been arrested nationwide, with 215 under investigation for illegal assets. A further 2,367 suspects are being held under detention orders issued by courts.

From 1 January to date, Police have inspected 2.4 million individuals, leading to 1,479 arrests for various offences. More than 35,000 individuals wanted on warrants have been taken into custody, while 28,270 drivers under the influence of drugs have also been apprehended.