Meth Labs pose huge threat to public health, national security, says Marwa
By Uzor Odigbo
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said that the recent discovery of clandestine laboratories in Nigeria calls for serious concern, advocating the need for more collaboration.
According to him, the unearthing of these labs where methamphetamine is produced, and the seizures of captagon, fentanyl, and other deadly substances in Nigeria further underscores the growing threat of illicit drugs to public health and national security.
The NDLEA boss stated this in Lagos on Monday in his opening remarks at the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) twinning programme organised by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
Marwa said that if drug trafficking cartels can maintain effective network across the globe, it is expedient for drug law enforcement agencies to forge a clear formidable lead ahead of them to win this all-important fight.
“This programme is a laudable initiative and is timely considering the proliferation of new psychotropic substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids, and other dangerous substances.
“The multi-agency training on real-time communication, intelligence tools, awareness raising, and the handling of dangerous substances, is a welcome development aimed at intercepting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
“Expectedly, this will help to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and regulatory officers across regions and promote faster and more effective cooperation among participating countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam. Other benefits include intelligence sharing and officer exchange programmes, which are vital to the dislodgment of transnational drug trafficking groups”.
Marwa expressed optimism about the gains of the strategic alliance between West Africa and Southeast Asia, saying that the twinning programme is preparing a solid foundation for a more coordinated onslaught against drug trafficking cartels.
According to him, apart from exposing officers to global and regional trend in new psychotropic substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids, it will also enhance the capacity of law enforcement agents to discharge their duties.
While emphasising the need for greater partnership among nations, the NDLEA boss promised that the Agency will continue to take every step aimed at increasing local and international collaboration.
“We are poised to tighten the noose against drug traffickers as we partner towards an integrated and balanced strategy to counter the world drug problem”, he said.
Also speaking at the programme, Craig Nixon of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, INL, US Department of State, said: “We continue to engage our foreign partners to attain more impactful counter-narcotics and law enforcement outcomes through foreign assistance, diplomacy, and the deployment of deterrence tools.
“The new modality of synthetic drug trafficking poses a significant challenge to the United States.
