Sacks of opium set on fire in Yei [Photo: Radio Tamazuj]
Authorities in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State on Wednesday publicly set ablaze about 500 kilograms of opium, khat popularly known as marungi, and smoking tubes worth 1.5 million South Sudanese Pounds at the Yei Freedom Square.
Last month Yei River County commissioner issued an order banning the consumption, production, and sale of illicit drugs such as opium, shisha, khat, and alcoholic spirits among members of the public and the organized forces.
Addressing a crowd of witnesses, Commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyigwa said the move is aimed at preventing crimes, public disorder and curbing the high rate of mental illness in the county.