Botswana Seizes Over 5,000kg Of Drugs As Trafficking Expands

Botswana’s fight against illicit drugs intensified in 2025 as law enforcement agencies intercepted more than five thousand kilograms of narcotics, highlighting the growing threat posed by transnational drug trafficking syndicates operating across the region.
According to the Botswana Police Service (BPS) 2025 Annual Report, drug-related offences increased by 62 percent during the year, far outpacing the overall national crime growth rate of six percent. The report points to an evolving narcotics landscape in which organised criminal networks increasingly use Botswana as a transit and distribution route.
Police statistics show that total drug seizures rose dramatically from 1,871.99 kilograms in 2024 to 5,041.23 kilograms in 2025, representing a 169 percent increase.
Cannabis, commonly known as dagga, accounted for the majority of the seized narcotics and remains the most trafficked and abused drug in the country. Authorities state that the large quantities intercepted indicate the involvement of sophisticated cross-border syndicates rather than small-scale local dealers.
One of the largest seizures recorded during the year involved a 400-kilogram consignment of dagga intercepted by BPS Special Task Teams.
The police have also raised concerns over the continued spread of methcathinone, commonly known as “CAT”, which has emerged as the second most prevalent illicit drug in Botswana. This highly addictive synthetic stimulant’s growing presence suggests increasingly complex supply networks operating across the region.
In response to the escalating threat, the Botswana Police Service has expanded intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting trafficking routes and dismantling distribution networks.
The report notes that 24 specialized task teams were deployed nationwide to target drug trafficking operations. These units focus on intercepting contraband shipments and conducting targeted enforcement operations against criminal syndicates.
Border security has also been strengthened through the maintenance of 24 border base camps positioned at strategic entry points across the country. These camps are designed to monitor and prevent illegal cross-border movements often exploited by traffickers.
Supporting these efforts is the BPS Aviation Wing, which operates a fleet of eight helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft. During the reporting period, the aviation unit recorded 861 flight hours, conducting aerial surveillance and supporting operations in remote and difficult-to-access areas, particularly along border regions and within the North West District.
Despite increased enforcement activity, the police service continues to face significant resource challenges.
The BPS is currently operating with a personnel deficit of 639 officers, employing a workforce of 12,175 against an approved establishment of 12,814. While the recruitment of 873 constables in late 2025 helped strengthen frontline policing, authorities acknowledge that specialized investigators remain in short supply.
The growing volume of drug-related cases is also placing additional pressure on the criminal justice system. According to the annual report, the police handled more than 1.07 million cases during the reporting cycle. Pending cases expected to be carried forward into the next cycle have risen to 596,375, raising concerns about delays in prosecuting major trafficking cases.
The figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing Botswana as authorities seek to combat increasingly organized and well-resourced criminal networks operating across the region.
The report emphasizes that police officials maintain that while large seizures represent important successes, long-term progress will depend on sustained investment in specialized investigations, intelligence gathering and regional cooperation aimed at dismantling trafficking syndicates at their source.