Drug trafficking: NDLEA, USDEA sign MOU

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat drug crimes.

A statement issued by the NDLEA spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Saturday in Lagos, said that “both countries hope to be more aggressive in attacks on drug barons”.

It stated that key areas of the agreement included the exchange of intelligence, training, sharing of expertise and joint investigation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking syndicates.

It quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Mr Ahmadu Giade, who signed on behalf of Nigeria, as expressing optimism about the benefits of the new partnership.

“This agreement is another landmark achievement in our fight to eradicate narcotics from the society. I am happy that this notion to foster our relationship with the USDEA has finally come to fruition.

“It is a strategic move to address the ever-changing challenges of the drug trade.

“If drug traffickers have agents across the globe, it is logical that as drug law enforcement officers, we must collaborate to break barriers militating against our effectiveness.”

The NDLEA boss explained that USDEA had assisted Nigeria in 2006 to record the largest seizures of 14,200 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Tincan Island Port and the dismantling of clandestine laboratories in Lagos.

The USDEA Regional Director, Europe and Africa, Mr. Benson Russel signed for the USDEA.

Russel said the United States Government was committed to the war on narcotics, promising to work hard on the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“The leadership of the Agency is dedicated to the war on drug cartels and the USDEA will always be by the NDLEA.

“This is a strong indication that our partnership is getting better. We must launch attacks on those who don’t care about public safety.”