Mozambique is increasingly becoming a consumer of illicit drugs, rather than just a transit point in the intercontinental trade. The country's drug problem is growing, with hospital admissions linked to drug use rising 38 percent last year to more than 32,280. Experts say this reflects only a fraction of the problem. Elton Raimundo Joaquim, a 27-year-old addict, scavenges the streets of Mozambique's capital for scraps of metal to sell. He admitted to stealing to pay for cannabis, crack, and heroin.
Joaquim is among a growing number of drug users in Mozambique. He tried rehab but couldn't handle it. University graduate Paulo Ferrao admitted himself to the REMAR rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Maputo four years ago. Patients at the centre are assigned tasks such as cleaning, metalwork, carpentry, and attending religious services. Ferrao said it's becoming easier for young people to obtain drugs, including crystal meth.
Mozambique's position along trafficking routes between drug producers and markets, its 2,500-kilometre Indian Ocean coastline, and its porous borders make it a prime transit point for drug traffickers. The state drug prevention bureau, GCPCD, said the country's long coastline and porous borders help make it an ideal location for traffickers. Jose Bambo, spokesman for GCPCD, said the country has joined forces with international anti-drugs bodies and authorities across the region to tackle the problem.
The cooperation between Mozambique and international authorities has facilitated the extradition of suspects and the seizure of drugs. Recently, six Mexican nationals accused of manufacturing drugs in a village outside Maputo were extradited from Botswana. Mozambique lacks tools like scanners and canine units to intercept drugs before they reach neighbourhoods. The country also lacks enough specialists in the sector, while traffickers constantly alter their methods.
Drugs are now being smuggled into Mozambique disguised as cosmetics, snacks, and construction materials. Historically a transit point for heroin and methamphetamine, Mozambique has seen an increase in cocaine flows as part of the "Lusophone route" that links Brazil with other Portuguese-speaking countries. Antonio De Vivo, the country head of the UN drugs office, said traffic in the synthetic opioid fentanyl has also emerged.
Authorities have reported the seizure of more than five tonnes of fentanyl this year. De Vivo said low-income countries with young populations, such as Mozambique, are particularly vulnerable to cheaper synthetic drugs. The situation reflects a broader regional picture, with South Africa also uncovering manufacturing labs where Mexicans allegedly operated as chemists or trainers of a local workforce.
Experts warn that the increase in drug consumption in Mozambique is likely to get bigger. De Vivo said local production will inevitably lead to an increase in consumption. The country's authorities are working to tackle the problem, but experts say more needs to be done to address the issue. The surge in drug consumption in Mozambique is a growing concern for the government and international authorities.
Key points
- Hospital admissions linked to drug use in Mozambique rose 38 percent last year to more than 32,280.
- Mozambique's porous borders and long coastline make it a prime transit point for drug traffickers.
- The country is seeing an increase in consumption of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl and crystal meth.
