Amolatar district in West Lango is bracing with organised crimes, police have said.
On February 28, police in the district conducted an intelligence-led operation in Arwot A Cell, Arwot Ward, Etam town council.
The operation targeted a group of youths suspected to be involved in organised criminal activities within the area.
SP Jimmy Patrick Okema said the operation followed numerous complaints from residents concerning incidents of waylaying pedestrians, bag snatching, rape, theft, threatening violence, and other related offences allegedly committed by the said group.
The suspects are aged between 18 and 26 years, SP Okema, PRO for North Kyoga Region, said on Saturday.
During the operation, eight suspects were arrested and are currently in lawful custody on a holding charge of Threatening Violence, he stated.
The charge stems from an incident that occurred on February 27 at about 9pm at Arwot trading centre, where the suspects allegedly threatened one Opon Nelson, 49, resident of Arwot A Cell, for identifying them as members of a criminal gang operating in the area.
The matter was reported at Etam Town Council Police Station.
SP Okema identified the suspects arrested as Ogwal Ronald, Ogwang Dan, Tema Jaspher, Ogang Justine; Ogwal Bonny, Otim Rodgers, Otim Rolex and Ogang Daniel.
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All the suspects are residents of Arwot A Cell and neighboring areas within the same town council.
Investigations are ongoing to gather further evidence from the community, and additional charges are likely to be preferred upon completion of inquiries.
The PRO said the District CID Officer and his team are actively compiling the case file to ensure successful prosecution, adding that the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) has been tasked to intensify community policing initiatives targeting organised criminal gangs and to strengthen collaboration between police and the public.
Monitoring and intelligence-led operations will continue to enhance security and maintain law and order within Etam town council and the district at large.
SP Okema concluded in a Saturday statement: “The police remain committed to dismantling organized criminal gangs and restoring public confidence in the affected areas.
“Members of the community are urged to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to support ongoing investigations.
“Any person found engaging in criminal activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
