Matsoso rejects allegations of crystal meth cover-up
…claims investigations are ongoing Moorosi Tsiane CHIEF of Police, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, has dismissed allegations that senior police officers are attempting to cover up a major crystal meth manufacturing case allegedly linked to Asian businessmen in Khubetsoana, Berea. Adv Matsoso instead insisted that investigations were still ongoing and that the matter would eventually proceed to court once the police have completed their probe. His remarks... The post Matsoso rejects allegations of crystal meth cover-up appeared first on Lesotho Times.
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…claims investigations are ongoing
Moorosi Tsiane
CHIEF of Police, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, has dismissed allegations that senior police officers are attempting to cover up a major crystal meth manufacturing case allegedly linked to Asian businessmen in Khubetsoana, Berea.
Adv Matsoso instead insisted that investigations were still ongoing and that the matter would eventually proceed to court once the police have completed their probe.
His remarks come despite police spokesperson, Superintendent Thabo Mohai, having last week denied the existence of such a case.
The controversy follows revelations by this publication that senior police officers, including Maseru Urban District Commissioner Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Tšeliso Moerane and Maseru Central Beat Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kokong Malefane, allegedly “sat” on a case involving a major drug bust conducted in February this year.
The Maseru Central Beat Patrol Unit reportedly uncovered a suspected crystal meth laboratory operating from a rented workshop in Lifariking, Khubetsoana.
However, Supt Mohai previously told this publication that ACP Malefane had denied the existence of such a case.
Adv Matsoso has now defended the police response, maintaining that investigations were active and ongoing.
“There is no such thing as police sitting on a case. That is a pure lie. There are people with interests in this matter who wanted us to handle it their way, and we are not going to do that,” Adv Matsoso said in an interview.
“That case is still being worked on and, once investigations are completed, all those involved will be taken before the courts. Mohai did not have the facts at the time he spoke to you.”
Adv Matsoso said the matter required a cautious and methodical approach because of its complexity.
“This is not a simple case where police found someone smoking dagga. It is a very serious matter which requires careful investigations,” he said.
He also defended the controversial decision to allow the Beat Patrol unit, rather than the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), to lead the probe — a move that has reportedly caused internal tensions among detectives.
“Any police officer can investigate a case. It is not only CID officers who are capable. A case can be assigned to any officer with the capacity to handle it,” he said.
According to sources close to the investigations, the suspected drug manufacturers are Asian nationals who allegedly rented premises belonging to businessman Simon Thebe-ea-Khale in Lifariking, Khubetsoana, where they reportedly operated under the guise of an IT company while secretly manufacturing crystal meth.
The scandal deepened after a police vehicle bearing registration number POL 0084 was allegedly seen stationed at the premises guarding equipment believed to have been used in the production of the drugs.
The incident has fuelled public suspicion that some officers within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) could be colluding with drug syndicates operating in and around Maseru.
Khubetsoana has long been regarded as one of Maseru’s most notorious drug hotspots, but the latest allegations suggest the area may be evolving from a drug distribution point into a manufacturing hub for dangerous synthetic narcotics.
Crystal meth is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant associated with severe psychological and physical harm, including psychosis, heart complications and violent behaviour.
The allegations have also raised fears of organised criminal networks infiltrating state institutions, amid claims that some officers may be benefiting financially in exchange for shielding suspects from prosecution.
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