Police arrest female suspects over ‘hunger-suppressing’ drug in Aweil

AWEIL – Police in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have arrested two women suspected of selling a substance locally known as “Mango,” which authorities say allegedly suppresses appetite for up to a week, raising concerns over potential health risks among users.

The state’s Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Gabriel Guet said the arrests followed intelligence gathered by officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who had been tracking the circulation of the substance within Aweil and surrounding areas.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday after apprehending the suspects identified as Mary Abuk and Asunta Andrea (not their real names), Guet said the discovery of the drug has triggered fears of possible deaths, as residents have reportedly been purchasing and consuming it without knowing its composition or long-term effects.

“We have detained two women who were selling this substance to local people. It is a drug they call ‘Mango,’ and it reportedly allows a consumer to go for a week without feeling hungry,” Guet said.

Authorities recovered approximately seven kilograms of the substance during the operation. Guet said investigations are ongoing to determine its origin, distribution network, and potential health implications.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that local people are protected from these dealers,” he added.

The commissioner said the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete, noting that the matter will ultimately be determined through legal processes.

“It is the responsibility of the legal practitioners to decide the fate of the accused. This is something very concerning and unacceptable,” he said.

Preliminary findings suggest the suspects, both in their early 30s, had been involved in the trade for some time. According to Guet, they admitted transporting the substance toward border areas, where it was allegedly exchanged with clients for cash, pointing to a possible cross-border network.

The arrests come amid growing economic hardship in the country, which officials say is driving some residents to engage in risky and illegal activities to survive.

In a related development, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Ministry of Animal Resources has issued a directive banning the sale of meat in unlicensed butcheries, following reports that dog meat was recently sold and consumed in Aweil Town.

Samuel Ajing Uguak, Director General at the ministry, said the measure aims to curb the slaughter of sick and domestic animals for commercial purposes, warning that such practices pose serious public health risks.

“We have found that some residents rush to slaughter even sick animals in unlicensed facilities. Last week, suspects were arrested for selling dog meat,” Uguak said.

He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face heavy fines and possible legal action.

Authorities say the twin developments highlight growing concerns over food safety and public health in the state, as economic pressures continue to push vulnerable populations toward dangerous coping mechanisms.