A government pickup vehicle has been arrested and impounded by the anti-stock theft unit in Napak district for carrying the deadly illicit waragi.

The vehicle with registration number UG 2524 A belongs to the ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries and was being driven by Robert Wawomula.

According to the Karamoja region police spokesperson, Mike Longole, the vehicle was carrying 16 jerrycans of waragi and was impounded at the Kokeris check point along Soroti-Moroto highway.

Longole says the jerrycans were covered with a tarplin, raising suspicion from officers manning the checkpoint.

The vehicle was escorted to Moroto central police station by the commander checkpoints, where the two occupants-the driver Robert Wawomula and Lazarus Erutu have been detained to help the force in investigations.

Illicit waragi has been one of the leading drivers of raids in Karamoja and has also been causing deaths and other health complications amongst locals in the region.