National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

Last updated
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
Formation1989 (1989)
HeadquartersNo 6 Portharcourt Crescent Area 11 Garki Abuja Nigeria
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
 Mohammed Buba Marwa
Website ndlea.gov.ng

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is a federal law enforcement agency in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Justice charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. The agency was established by Decree Number 48 of 1989. [1] The NDLEA is present in international airports, seaports, and border crossings. [2] The NDLEA also targets the leaders of narcotics and money laundering organizations. [3] [4]

Contents

History and mandate

The NDLEA was established by the promulgation of decree no.48 of 29th, December 1989, now an act of parliament whose major target was aimed at exterminating illicit drug trafficking and consumption. [5] [6] [7]

Drug cultivation

Former Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described illicit drugs as "alien" to Nigeria. Cannabis, locally grown in most states, was introduced to the country by foreigners. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative to Nigeria, said that according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2021, 14.4 percent of Nigerians are presently engaged in drug abuse. [8]

Also, Nigeria was one of the largest cannabis growers in Africa, with over 8% of the population using cannabis. Annual cannabis seizures increased from 126 metric tonnes in 2005 to 210 metric tonnes in 2007. [9]

The NDLEA describes the southwest region of Nigeria as one of the main centers of illicit drug production in the country. 196.5 acres (0.795 km2) of cannabis farmland was discovered and destroyed in the region in 2008. [10] In particular, Edo State has the highest rate of seizure of cannabis in the country. [11] In April 2009, the NDLEA confiscated 6.5 tonnes of marijuana from the home of a man in Ogun State who claimed to be 114 years old. [12] In September 2009 the NDLEA reported destroying a 24 hectare cannabis plantation in a forest reserve in Osun State. [13]

In January 2009, the NDLEA publicly burned 5,605.45 kilograms of drugs seized from traffickers in Badagry, Lagos. The bonfire included 376.45 kilograms of cocaine, 71.46 kilograms of heroin and 5,157.56 tonnes of cannabis. [14] in 2015

Drug trafficking

The United States donated full body scanning machines for the Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports and provided security training and orientation airport officers. The machines have proved effective in catching smugglers and couriers taking cocaine from Latin America to Europe by way of Nigeria. Between 2006 and June 2008 over 12,663 suspected drug dealers were arrested, with seizure of over 418.8 metric tonnes of various hard drugs. [15] For example, in July 2009 a woman about to board a KLM flight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was arrested by NDLEA officers and later excreted 42 wraps of cocaine, weighing 585 grams. [16] In September 2009, the NDLEA arrested a Guinean woman en route from Brazil to Europe with 6.350 kg of pure cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. [17]

In 2008 Nigeria was certified by the United States in the anti-narcotic crusade for the eight successive time. President George Bush said that Nigeria had made significant progress in counter narcotics and had effectively co-operated with the United States on drug-related and money laundering cases. [18] In Katsina State, 100 people were convicted for drug offences from January to May 2008, and 358 people were arrested for drug offences in the same period. [19]

Drug barons

Speaking of efforts to go after the organizers of the trade, Ahmadu Giade said the agency had seized N270 million worth of shares from drug barons, as well as cars, houses and other property worth hundreds of millions of naira. [18]

After a September 2009 meeting with the head of the Nigerian Immigration Service to discuss exchange of biometric data of convicted drug barons and traffickers, Giade said cooperation between the agencies would help deny passports to convicted drug barons. [20]

Controversy

The U.S. Department of State noted that there have been credible allegations of drug-related corruption at the NDLEA. In late November 2005 NDLEA Chairman Bello Lafiaji was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption and replaced by Ahmadu Giade. [21]

Lafiaji’s continued anti-narcotic efforts made him a target of drug barons as was evidenced in their connivance with some third party to frame him in 2005. [22]

Lafiaji was convicted on June 21, 2010, of conspiracy and conversion of 164,300 euros seized from a drug suspect in November 2005 when he was the Chairman of the NDLEA. He was sentenced to four years in prison together with his personal assistant. They were investigated by Nigeria’s Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission. [23]

Lafiaji appealed his conviction and on November 22, 2011, a three-judge panel of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal in Lagos unanimously overturned his conviction, holding that the prosecution failed to prove its cases beyond reasonable doubt. [24] Lafiaji was therefore discharged and acquitted by the appellate court. [24]

In June 2003 the National Committee for the Reform of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency issued a report that identified a cartel of senior NDLEA members which had arranged the release of 197 convicted drug barons and couriers between 2005 and 2006, and recommended prosecution of these official. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narcotic</span> Chemical substance with psycho-active properties

The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with numbing or paralyzing properties. In the United States, it has since become associated with opiates and opioids, commonly morphine and heroin, as well as derivatives of many of the compounds found within raw opium latex. The primary three are morphine, codeine, and thebaine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illegal drug trade</span> Global black market

The illegal drug trade, drug trafficking, or narcotrafficking is a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of prohibited drugs. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs through the use of drug prohibition laws. The think tank Global Financial Integrity's Transnational Crime and the Developing World report estimates the size of the global illicit drug market between US$426 and US$652 billion in 2014 alone. With a world GDP of US$78 trillion in the same year, the illegal drug trade may be estimated as nearly 1% of total global trade. Consumption of illegal drugs is widespread globally, and it remains very difficult for local authorities to reduce the rates of drug consumption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War on drugs</span> Global anti-drug campaign led by the United States

The war on drugs is the policy of a global campaign, led by the United States federal government, of drug prohibition, military aid, and military intervention, with the aim of reducing the illegal drug trade in the United States. The initiative includes a set of drug policies that are intended to discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of psychoactive drugs that the participating governments, through United Nations treaties, have made illegal.

The Guadalajara Cartel, also known as The Federation, was a Mexican drug cartel which was formed in the late 1970s by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo in order to ship cocaine and marijuana to the United States. Among the first of the Mexican drug trafficking groups to work with the Colombian cocaine mafias, the Guadalajara Cartel prospered from the cocaine trade. Throughout the 1980s, the cartel controlled much of the drug trafficking in Mexico and the corridors along the Mexico–United States border. It had operations in various regions in Mexico which included the states of Jalisco, Baja California, Colima, Sonora, Chihuahua and Sinaloa among others. Multiple modern present day drug cartels such as the Tijuana, Juárez and Sinaloa cartels originally started out as branches or "plazas" of the Guadalajara Cartel before its eventual disintegration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-Narcotics Force</span> Federal executive bureau of Pakistan

The Anti-Narcotics Force is a federal executive bureau and a paramilitary force of the Government of Pakistan, tasked with combating the narcotics smuggling and use within Pakistan. ANF works under the umbrella of Pakistan Army and Ministry of Narcotics Control (Pakistan) of which Mohsin Raza Naqvi is the minister since March 2024. Due to misconception on Section 4 of ANF ACT 1997, the force's head consisted of the active-duty general officer of Pakistan Army. Although the law prescribes that any competent person may be appointed as Director-General. Currently, a two-star Army Officer, Major general Muhammad Aniq Ur Rehman Malik is deputed as Director-General. The ANF also has sole responsibility for coordinating and pursuing Pakistan narcotics investigations abroad.

A drug policy is the policy regarding the control and regulation of psychoactive substances, particularly those that are addictive or cause physical and mental dependence. While drug policies are generally implemented by governments, entities at all levels may have specific policies related to drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drug policy of Canada</span> Overview of the drug policy of Canada

Canada's drug regulations are measures of the Food and Drug Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In relation to controlled and restricted drug products, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act establishes eight schedules of drugs and new penalties for the possession, trafficking, exportation and production of controlled substances as defined by the Governor-in-Council. Drug policy of Canada has traditionally favoured punishment for the smallest of offences, but this convention was partially broken in 1996 with the passing of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, based in Lisbon, is an initiative by 6 EU Member Countries and the UK and is co-funded by the Internal Security Fund of the European Union.

Ahmadu Giade, a retired deputy commissioner of police, was appointed chairman of the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in November 2005. He replaced Bello Lafiaji, who was dismissed by President Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption. Giade has also served as Special Assistant on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

Fidelis Oyakhilome was Nigerian military governor of Rivers State from January 1984 until August 1986 during the administrations of Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crime in Slovakia</span>

Slovakia is a Central European country with a history of relatively low crime. While crime became more widespread after the Revolutions of 1989, it remains low when compared to many other post-communist countries.

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) is a Ghanaian agency under the Ministry of Interior. It is the agency concerned with the formulation and enforcement of narcotics laws in the country. The board's work is aimed at preventing the use, import, and export of narcotics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Force</span> UK law enforcement agency

Border Force (BF) is a British law enforcement command within the Home Office, responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea and rail ports in the United Kingdom. The force was part of the now defunct UK Border Agency from its establishment in 2008 until Home Secretary Theresa May demerged it in March 2012 after severe criticism of the senior management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Nigeria</span>

Cannabis is illegal in Nigeria, yet the country is a major source of West African-grown cannabis, and ranked the world's third highest consumer of cannabis.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the drug trade in West Africa rapidly expanded amid dramatic increases in US and European demand for cocaine, cannabis, and other drugs. This resulted in the expansion of two distinct trade routes, both of which went through West Africa. One route exported domestically produced cannabis from West Africa to South Africa, Europe, and Asia. The other trade route moved cocaine from Latin America and heroin from Afghanistan and Southeast Asia to Europe and the United States. In both of these routes, drug traffickers took advantage of trading networks created by Malian and Berber traders in colonial times to move drugs through the region, as well as West Africa's broader geographical location as an intermediate stop from Latin America and Southwest Asia to Europe and the United States. This was due in part to West Africa's badly policed borders, endemic corruption, and economic inequalities.

East African drug trade refers to the sale and trafficking of illegal drugs that take place in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The most prevalent types of drugs traded in East Africa are heroin, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and khat, all of which are strictly prohibited in East African countries.

The illegal drug trade in Japan is the illegal production, transport, sale, and use of prohibited drugs in Japan. The drug trade is influenced by various factors, including history, economic conditions, and cultural norms. While methamphetamine is historically the most widely trafficked illegal drug in post-World War II Japan, marijuana, cocaine, and other prohibited substances are also present. Additionally, Japan's status as a developed economy and the presence of organized crime in Japan have made it a target of the international drug trade.

Abba Alhaji Kyari is a former Nigerian police officer who was a Deputy Commissioner of Police currently on suspension and relieved from all police duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his alleged connection with Gucci King, popular alleged fraudster Ramon Abbas "Hushpuppi". He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Prior to his appointment as IGP-IRT, he served at Lagos State Police Command as a unit Commander in one of the PMF bases located in Lagos before he was promoted and transferred to serve as the Officer-In-Charge of the dis-banded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Silent Baron is a 2021 Nigerian action drama film produced and directed by Ifeanyi Ukaeru and Richard Omos Iboyi in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency under the production company of Ekwe Nche Entertainment Limited to celebrate the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The film stars Ejike Asiegbu, Sani Muazu, Ngozi Nwosu, Nancy Isime, Enyinna Nwigwe, Anthony Munjaro, and Doris Ifeka.

Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) is a Nigerian civil society organization focused on addressing corruption, financial crimes, terrorism, economic sabotage, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

References

  1. ↑ The agency is headquartered in the capital city of Abuja. "National Drug Law Enforcement Agency". ndlea.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  2. ↑ "NDLEA arrests seven traffickers, intercepts cocaine consignments at Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos airports". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  3. ↑ "National Drug Law Enforcement Agency". Global Security. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  4. ↑ Itodo, Yemi (2019-10-21). "Reps move to grant NDLEA autonomy, say agency surviving on charity". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  5. ↑ "National Drug Law Enforcement Agency". ndlea.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  6. ↑ "National Drug Law Enforcement Agency". ndlea.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  7. ↑ "National Drug Law Enforcement Agency". ndlea.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  8. ↑ "14.4% of Nigerians engage in drug abuse — UNODC". Vanguard News. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  9. ↑ "Winning the war against drug abuse". Daily Triumph. July 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  10. ↑ "NDLEA'S WORRIES OVER INDIAN HEMP FARMS". This Day (Nigeria). 1 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  11. ↑ "Oshiomhole, NDLEA Seek Solution On Cannabis". Leadership Nigeria. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  12. ↑ Ahemba, Tume (April 1, 2009). "Very elderly man caught with huge marijuana haul". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  13. ↑ "NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Plantation In Osun State". Channels Television. September 2009. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  14. ↑ "NDLEA destroys 5,605.45 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs ... Vows to publish photographs of convicts". Daily Sun. January 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "NDLEA And Fight Against Drugs". Leadership (Abuja). 6 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  16. ↑ "Nigerian drug enforcement agency arrest 50 year old woman with 585g of cocaine". Naijafeed. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  17. ↑ "Nigerian agency arrests Guinean woman over illicit drug". Afrique en ligne. 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2009-09-27.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. 1 2 "No Let-up on Anti-Drug War". Newswatch Magazine. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  19. ↑ "NIGERIA'S NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CONVICTED HUNDRED PERSONS IN KATSINA STATE". Federal Ministry of Information & Communications. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  20. ↑ "Immigration Request For Drug Traffickers' Data From Ndlea". Daily Trust. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  21. ↑ "Africa and the Middle East: Nigeria". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  22. ↑ I Was Asked to Lie About Euros – Ex-NDLEA Employee: http://allafrica.com/stories/200911050171.html
  23. ↑ Wrongly Convicted Database Record: http://forejustice.org/db/Lafiaji--Alhaji-Bello-.html
  24. 1 2 Appeal Court Sets Lafiaji Free: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/appeal-court-sets-lafiaji-free/103461/
  25. ↑ "The jail evasion scandal in NDLEA". Sun News Publishing. June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-29.[ permanent dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.