NDLEA raises alarm over rising drug trafficking by sea in W/Africa

As drug trafficking by sea increases globally, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have stressed the need for the Federal Government to straighten the agency to effectively combat the illicit drug trade. This is even as the Agency noted that there has a rise in the volume of drug trafficking in the West African sub-region. The NDLEA raised the alarm in Lagos in commemoration of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking. Director, Seaports Operation of NDLEA, Omolaja Faboyede, noted that drug trafficking through the sea has been a security problem for all countries of the West African region because it involves the movement of large quantity drugs.

According to him, “It increases the level of insecurity and drug related crimes. Nigeria must have the political will to tackle the issue of drug trafficking, the supervising agency; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency must be strengthen and adequately funded to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria. Criminality in the Gulf of Guinea include maritime piracy, armed robbery, trans-organised crime such as illegal fishing and associated crime such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, illegal dumping of toxic waste and other sea based crimes. 

“Since mid-2000 West Africa has emerged a transit point for trafficking of cocaine from South America to Europe. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that $1.25 billion worth of cocaine passed the region in 2010 alone.  Recent drug trafficking as witnessed a massive movement of Cannabis Sativa from Ghana to Nigerian waters at an alarming rate.

He also noted that trafficking of narcotic drugs by sea has virtually become an industry comprised of many individual enterprises of varying size and organisation. It is an attraction for major international criminal organisations and terrorist. He pointed out that there are 200 million illicit drug users worldwide and the number continues to grow every day.

Faboyede also said that around 190,000 people die of use of illicit drugs every year, stressing further that drug trafficking is a threat to human live, national development and security.

He noted that drugs are trafficked by air, land and sea; explaining that the commonly trafficked drugs include Cocaine, Heroin, Morphine, Cannabis Sativa and Crystal Methamphetamine. In his words, “Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long lasting and permanent. They can continue after a person has stopped using drugs. Drugs can eventually change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s

ability to make choices, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time the person becomes dependent or addicted.

“More than 7 million people suffer from illicit drug use disorder and one in four deaths can be attributed to alcohol, tobacco and illicit prescription drugs. People suffering from drugs and alcohol addiction are victims of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence. The International day celebration is not only to educate on public issues of concern but to mobilise political will and resources to address and to celebrate the reinforced achievements of humanity,” he noted.