HARGEISA, 30 September 2026 The Maroodi Jeex Regional Court on Tuesday destroyed alcohol seized by Somaliland police in separate operations, some of which had been held by police for months, according to authorities.
The alcohol was seized at the Abaarso police station following a planned operation by police. Officers said it had been transported in a Land Cruiser carrying three barrels of alcohol.
Police said the alcohol was linked to an absent suspect who was not arrested at the time of the seizure.
The court ordered the destruction of 638 litres of alcohol, along with another 75 litres that had been damaged. A further 18 litres of alcohol previously held by the court were also destroyed.
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Somaliland police said the alcohol had not been seized in a single operation, but that some of it had been held at police stations for several months before the court issued the destruction order.
The police said the action was intended to prevent the alcohol from reaching the public. They also warned people against hiding alcohol in farms and other locations where it could be concealed from security authorities.
Police said further orders would be issued concerning people who hide alcohol in farms, adding that security agencies would continue taking action against the storage and distribution of alcohol.
According to figures provided by the police and court, the total amount of alcohol destroyed was 738 litres. However, the quantities separately listed — 638 litres, 75 litres and 18 litres — add up to 731 litres of alcohol destroyed at the same location.