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NDLEA, US DEA STRESS NEED FOR STRONGER COLLABORATION AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have emphasized the need to strengthen their current collaboration in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. The call was made during a meeting between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the Country Attache of US-DEA, Ms. Daphne Morrison, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. Ms. Morrison thanked Marwa for the cordial working relationship and partnership between NDLEA and DEA, saying, “I wanted to make this one of my priorities to come meet with you so we can continue to collaborate and work together.” She expressed her readiness to continue the collaboration and support, stating, “Thank you so much for your support over the years, and we’re ready to keep things going.” Marwa acknowledged the excellent relationships with Morrison’s predecessors, saying, “They’ve been very, very supportive, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that it will be the same, if not better, with you.” He highlighted the recent evolution of NDLEA, including its workforce expansion, operational and administrative structures, and remarkable successes in drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts. The NDLEA boss expressed hope that more support would continue from the DEA, particularly in areas of equipment, training, and joint operations. “I think we would welcome much more support, but because this being your first visit to introduce yourself, I’m not going to bring out a long list of demands or requests,” he said. Morrison and Marwa discussed plans for more trainings for officers and men of the Special Operations Units of the Agency, as well as joint operations in already identified areas of interest.

32.9KG COCAINE TRAFFICKING: 10 THAI SAILORS, SHIP CONVICTED, FINED $4.3MILLION

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport, Lagos. The convicted sailors are Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom. Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reported that the sailors were arrested on October 13, 2021, alongside nine Nigerian suspects. Babafemi said the vessel and sailors were arraigned before the court in February 2022 on offenses bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment. “The court ruling was a strong message to the international drug cartel and their local collaborators that Nigeria will never be a safe hub for illicit drug trafficking,” NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, said in a statement. Marwa commended the NDLEA prosecution team and officers of the Apapa Strategic Command involved in the arrest, seizure, and investigation of the shipment for their diligence and resilience. The court ordered the vessel to pay a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent. The 2nd to 11th defendants were convicted under section 25 of the NDLEA Act and ordered to pay fines ranging from N100,000 to $50,000 each, bringing the total amount payable to $4,360,000. Marwa charged the officers not to relent in pursuing the other part of the case still pending. The trial of the nine Nigerian suspects was adjourned to June 25. Marwa said, “The court ruling was a strong message to the international drug cartel and their local collaborators that Nigeria will never be a safe hub for illicit drug trafficking.” He commended the NDLEA prosecution team and officers involved in the case for their diligence and resilience. The NDLEA Chairman emphasized that the agency would continue to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

NDLEA BREAKS 25-YEAR JINX WITH NEW FORENSIC LABS IN ABUJA, ENUGU

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has established two new forensic laboratories in Abuja and Enugu, in addition to upgrading its existing laboratory in Lagos. This development comes after over 25 years of conducting forensic analysis in a single laboratory facility in Lagos. According to NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, the new laboratories will enhance the agency’s forensic analysis capabilities, increase its capacity to process cases efficiently, and strengthen its fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. “The newly constructed laboratories will enable us to enhance our forensic analysis capabilities, increase our capacity to process cases efficiently and strengthen our fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” Marwa said. The two new laboratories, built in Abuja and Enugu, are strategically located and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the highest standards of quality and safety protocols. The existing laboratory in Lagos has undergone comprehensive renovation and refurbishment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility. The project was made possible through the sponsorship of the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Additionally, the US-INL has donated advanced equipment to the agency to enhance the operations of the NDLEA forensic lab in Lagos. NDLEA has also conducted training and certification for 20 forensic analysts in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN). This training aims to empower them to sign off on drug analysis reports, thereby enhancing the agency’s forensic capabilities. Marwa commended the officers and staff of the Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for their dedication to breaking the 25-year jinx. He attributed the milestone achieved in forensic analysis to his commitment to equipping the laboratories with state-of-the-art instruments and developing the expertise of agency personnel. “The newly constructed drug laboratories and renovated facilities mark a significant milestone in the agency’s history, and we are delighted about this achievement,” Marwa added. The Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms. Candace Spradley, commended the collaboration between NDLEA and INL, stating that the donated equipment will enhance the agency’s capacity to detect and analyze suspicious substances.

STATE GOVERNMENTS URGED TO EMBRACE COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO CURB SUBSTANCE ABUSE

State governments have been charged to embrace and entrench community-based interventions that will curb the impact of the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking at the grassroots in line with the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP). The charge was made at a training workshop organized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum in Abuja. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau, commended the NDLEA and NGSF for the initiative, saying it will help advance drug control efforts to the grassroots across the country. “Today’s training will ensure that we are adequately armed with the right knowledge, tools, skills, and competencies necessary to effectively tackle this complex issue,” she said. NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa noted that the drug scourge obstructs progress and dims prospects in an already beleaguered world. “Regrettably, Nigeria is not immune to this scourge, which steadily infiltrates every stratum of our society,” he said. Marwa charged stakeholders not to surrender to despair over the menace of drug abuse. “As patriots and vanguards of our nation’s well-being, it falls on us to strengthen our resolve, to move with deliberate speed towards practical and lasting resolutions that will, God willing, break the vicious cycle of drug abuse,” he said. UNODC Country Rep Cheikh Ousmane Toure stated that “if the root of this crisis lies in our neighborhoods, schools, and homes, then the solution must too.” He reminded the first ladies that their influence transcends politics, adding that “you are the custodian of trust in your states. When you speak, community listens. When you act, local governments follow.” The head of ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, also urged state governments to invest in prevention and treatment efforts at the state and community levels. Experts who served as resource persons during the technical session of the workshop included Dr. Martins Agwogie, Prof. Akintunde Oyedokun, and Dr. Kunle Adeshina, among others.

NDLEA BOSS COMMENDS US GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has commended the United States government for its support in the fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria. Marwa made the remarks at the commissioning of a central exhibit office donated by the US government to the NDLEA in Ikoyi, Lagos. According to Marwa, the continued collaboration with the US has bolstered and enhanced the NDLEA’s operational capabilities. “Today, I am particularly pleased to acknowledge one of such gestures, namely the donation of the office for our central exhibit custodians,” he said. “This donation acknowledges the critical need for efficient and secure handling of evidence, which is essential for the successful prosecution of drug-related cases.” Marwa noted that despite the agency’s improved performance, the war against drug trafficking and abuse is far from over. He highlighted the agency’s achievements in 2024, including the seizure of over 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs, the arrest of over 18,500 drug trafficking offenders, and the conviction of over 3,250 offenders, including 10 drug barons. The US acting Consul General, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, emphasized the significance of the support provided by the US government to the NDLEA. “The efforts to fight drug trafficking in Nigeria and across West Africa region have successes because we share the same objective of countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability,” she said. Georg highlighted the US government’s investment of half a million dollars to modernize and equip the chemical forensic laboratory at the NDLEA zonal office in Lagos. She also noted that the joint efforts between the US and Nigeria have helped to build the capacity of the Nigerian authorities to disrupt drug trafficking networks and conduct advanced forensic analysis of synthetic drugs. Marwa thanked the US government for its support and expressed his commitment to accountability, transparency, and the effective utilization of resources. “Our shared goal remains the protection of lives and the promotion of a safer, healthier world,” he said.

NDLEA ARRESTS HOLLYWOOD, NOLLYWOOD FILMMAKER, OTHERS OVER DRUG OFFENCES

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a US-trained Hollywood and Nollywood filmmaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, who is also a motivational speaker, at his Lekki Hotel room on Friday, December 27, 2024. This arrest followed the earlier arrest of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, at a warehouse in Ajao estate, Ikeja. In a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the Agency, Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that Mbadiwe had sent James to the warehouse to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilograms. The shipment arrived at the Import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja on December 24, 2024, from the United States on a Delta Airline flight, concealed in large wooden boxes. In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Kwara state arrested a fresh graduate, Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and a 20-year-old student of the University of Ilorin, Ayomide Morakinyo, at Tanke-University of Ilorin road, Oke Odo, Ilorin. They were arrested for producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students in the community. Babafemi stated that when their apartment was searched, 42 pieces of drugged cakes were recovered from them.