Botswana warns of chemical precursors fuelling regional drug crisis
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 22, 2025 08:56
This warning was made by the Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa, officiating at the three-day Interpol Global Congress for Sub-Saharan Africa on chemical security and emerging threats, which was held at Avani Hotel in Gaborone. Mohwasa said the misuse of chemicals for drug production has added a dangerous dimension to the region’s fight against transnational crime.
The congress was the first regional peer-to-peer exchange that brought together security experts, policymakers, and law enforcement officers from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This roadmap is a welcome development that will go a long way in addressing chemical security. Some of the chemicals that traverse our roads and airspace are precursor elements for drugs such as methcathinone and other psychotropic substances. This is not a challenge confined to Botswana alone, but one that extends across the region and beyond. It therefore calls for coordinated regional and international interventions,” Mohwasa said, noting that Africa must leverage Interpol’s databases, expertise, and training programmes to strengthen its defences.
He said Botswana, like many African nations, is grappling with a surge in synthetic drug use, particularly among the youth. Local law enforcement has in recent years intercepted shipments of methcathinone, methamphetamine, and other lab-produced stimulants, many of which are cheaper and easier to produce than traditional narcotics.
Police fear that the easy availability of precursor chemical substances, often transported legally for industrial and commercial purposes, creates fertile ground for criminal networks to manufacture synthetic drugs on a large scale.
The minister’s remarks underscore how the global chemical security agenda intersects directly with Botswana’s domestic fight against drugs. What were once niche security concerns about chemical terrorism are now inseparably linked to the rise of synthetic drug labs across Africa. He stated that experts have noted that precursor chemicals used to make explosives or legitimate industrial products are increasingly being diverted into illegal markets. He said that once in the hands of organised crime syndicates, these substances become the backbone of a shadow industry producing potent and highly addictive drugs.
Mohwasa stressed that the sophistication of non-state actors in exploiting chemicals for both terrorism and narcotics production demands an “adaptive, unified, and proactive” response from governments. He said Botswana has long positioned itself as an active member of the global security community and since joining Interpol in 1980, the country has benefitted from the organization’s investigative tools and secure communication networks.
He said through the I-24/7 system, which links national law enforcement agencies to Interpol’s global databases, Botswana has tightened border and immigration controls and enhanced its ability to track suspects internationally.
The country has also advanced its biometric and DNA databases, standardised disaster victim identification protocols to Interpol standards, and interfaced its systems with the United Nations “Go Travel” programme for counter-terrorism purposes.
He added that in 2018, Botswana passed the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act, creating the Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, and Radiological (CBRN) Weapon Management Authority and the police were tasked with coordinating national efforts to prevent the misuse of dangerous materials and ensuring compliance with international treaties such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
He disclosed that, thus far, Botswana has also developed a voluntary National Action Plan under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, aimed at boosting domestic control systems and emergency response to CBRN incidents.
Furthermore, Mohwasa highlighted the reality acknowledged by many security agencies that the fight against synthetic drugs cannot be waged by one nation alone, stating that chemicals used for methcathinone, methamphetamine, and other drugs cross multiple jurisdictions before reaching criminal networks.
“This is why it is critical to adopt coordinated regional and international interventions,” the minister stressed, adding that Botswana’s challenges mirror those of its neighbours and partners.
He said the Interpol global congress initiative, launched in 2018, was specifically designed to foster this kind of multi-sector collaboration, thus bringing together chemical security experts from around the world to share best practices, intelligence, and innovative solutions.
As the congress concluded its first sessions, the focus was clear that Africa must act swiftly to close the gaps that allow precursor chemicals to be diverted into illicit drug production.
“The interconnected nature of our world serves as a reminder that we are all equally impacted and have a role to play when it comes to threats to chemical security. This engagement will lay a strong foundation for regional cooperation and overall effectiveness in addressing chemical security issues and other emerging threats in Africa,” he said
For Botswana, the challenge is urgent and real. As the country tightens controls over hazardous materials, the growing tide of synthetic drugs at home remains a reminder that chemical security is not just a matter of terrorism prevention, but a matter of public health, youth safety, and regional stability.
Doing welcome remarks, Interpol representative, under the Chemical and Explosives Terrorism Prevention Unit, Alan Grimmer said the threat of chemical and explosives terrorism is evolving at an alarming rate. He added that non-state actors are also becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit chemical materials for harmful purposes, and the illicit trafficking of hazardous materials across borders is a stark reminder of the dangers the region faces.
“With representatives from 18 countries across East and Southern Africa, we have a unique opportunity to leverage our collective expertise and develop actionable recommendations that will drive change. Our aim is not only to discuss these challenges but to work collaboratively to develop actionable recommendations that will drive change. By strengthening our partnerships across borders, sectors, and disciplines, we can create a safer, more secure future for all,” he said.
For his part, the Acting Commissioner of police, Solomon Mantswe, stated that the Botswana Police Service (BPS) fully embraces and subscribes to Interpol’s ideals of creating a safer world by connecting police forces globally to prevent and fight crime through enhanced cooperation.
“Through our National Central Bureau (NCB), here in Gaborone, Botswana is globally connected to over 190 member countries. This connection has been instrumental in the fight against transnational organised crime, which often transcends our national borders,” he said.
The Acting Commissioner further underscored the danger posed by everyday chemicals falling into the wrong hands, adding that governments and private actors alike must safeguard the production, storage and use of such substances.
“We are all aware that terrorists can use certain chemicals found in everyday products to make explosives or toxic weapons. It is therefore imperative for governments and non-state actors to make, transport, store, buy, sell or use chemicals, in secure environments,” Solomon said.