NDLEA

Author: Gist Correspondent

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised concerns over attempts by international drug cartels to establish methamphetamine production bases in Nigeria, revealing that criminal networks linked to Mexican cartels are setting up illicit laboratories in forests in Ogun and Oyo states.

The agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.

Babafemi said the discovery highlights the growing international dimension of drug trafficking in Nigeria, adding that the NDLEA has shifted its strategy to dismantling drug production networks before narcotics reach airports, seaports and highways.

"We've seen recently the collaboration between the Nigerian-Mexican cartels trying to have methamphetamine laboratories in the forests of Ogun and Oyo states, and just a few days ago we had one again in Ebonyi State," he said.

He disclosed that suspects arrested during the Ebonyi operation would be publicly paraded after the completion of necessary procedures.

According to Babafemi, foreign drug syndicates are seeking to establish operational bases in Nigeria because drug trafficking has become a global criminal enterprise.

"They are trying to come in through whatever means they have to establish footholds because it's a global phenomenon; it's a global challenge," he said.

The NDLEA spokesman also revealed that increased enforcement had forced traffickers to adopt new smuggling routes through neighbouring countries.

He cited the dismantling of a drug cartel operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor, which he said had long been responsible for the movement of opioids into Nigeria.

Babafemi said the agency has expanded its operations into cyberspace, monitoring social media platforms, the dark web and cryptocurrency transactions used by drug traffickers.

He explained that financial investigations, asset tracing and recovery now form a major part of the agency's strategy to cripple the financial networks sustaining drug cartels.

The NDLEA also expressed concern over the growing glorification of illicit drug use on social media, revealing that it is collaborating with the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria to discourage such content.

Describing drug cartels as "merchants of death," Babafemi said the agency's focus now extends beyond cannabis, cocaine and tramadol to dangerous synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and Captagon.

He disclosed that the methamphetamine laboratory previously uncovered in Ogun State had the capacity to produce drugs valued at nearly ₦500 billion.

Babafemi further said the NDLEA has launched an Alternative Development Programme in parts of Ondo State to encourage cannabis farmers to embrace legitimate businesses, including poultry farming, fishing and food crop cultivation.

He added that the agency's Marine Command recently intercepted consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis on the high seas in Akwa Ibom State, with the shipment allegedly destined for Cameroon.

The NDLEA spokesman said the agency was also strengthening the safety of its personnel through specialised training, improved protective equipment, night-vision devices, bulletproof operational vehicles and the acquisition of modern AK-47 rifles.

He added that residential accommodation is being provided for officers and their families in Yola, Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.

"We're winning. As much as they want to continue to push this, we're ensuring that they don't have that space, the ungoverned space that they used to enjoy before now," Babafemi said.