NDLEA arrests 24,458 drug traffickers, secures 3,733 convictions in 24 months – Marwa

Chairman and Executive Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohammed Marwa, said the agency has secured 3,733 convictions of drug traffickers in the past 24 months.

Mr Marwa, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the NDLEA during his tenure, said 26,458 drug traffickers including 34 drug barons, were also arrested during the period.

He said 2,346 convictions were recorded in 2022, the highest in the history of the agency and almost double the highest recorded in the 33 years of NDLEA.

He added that the agency also counseled 19,401 addicts during the period.

“In 2022, I issued a New Year’s appeal to them and also warned that those who refuse to heed the warning will find themselves in a difficult situation.

“Already, we have 34 barons in the net and they are facing the music in court. We have secured an order for the temporary confiscation of their assets.

“In these two years, we arrested 26,458 drug dealers, including 34 barons. In 24 months, we successfully prosecuted 3,733 offenders, who were convicted and sentenced to prison in court.

“This is not an incident but the result of the professionalism, determination, commitment and hard work of the officers, men and women,” he said.

Mr. Marwa, a retired brigadier general, described 2022 as an epochal year, saying the agency had taken a big leap to reduce drug demand.

He said the inauguration of the NDLEA drug abuse call center has expanded access to treatment and rehabilitation.

“This is the year that the NDLEA also has unprecedented support, especially from the Governor’s Wives Forum, which has made a commitment to expand and expand social efforts to address the consequences of drug abuse,” the chairman added.

Mr Marwa warned that unrepentant drug barons and cartels will face a tougher time in 2023, promising to ensure that they spend long periods in prison and lose their wealth and assets.

“The signs are clear: we have, in the first two weeks of this year, destroyed three major drug cartels, one of which has established an extensive network around the world, but at least six kingpins are in our custody as I said.

“Details you will find out in the coming days.

“We also have the support of our international partners, especially the UNODC, partners and governments of the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, and South Korea.

“The support is the donation of equipment, training, intelligence and other logistics,” he said.

The NDLEA boss has assured Nigerians that the agency is resolutely doing its job to make Nigeria safe from illegal substances, adding that it can be done.

He said the NDLEA will continue to act aggressively and shut down drug routes from other countries to Nigeria.

The chairman promised that the agency would expand access to treatment and rehabilitation, and take Nigerians on a journey to curb drug trafficking and abuse in the country.

Mr. Marwa warned citizens to be vigilant when dealing with people of questionable wealth, saying the amendment to the NDLEA Act would strengthen the arm of the agency in drug law enforcement.

“We expect to catch another baron and the 34 in the net now will know their fate in court in the coming weeks and months.

“The Crime Act 2022 passed last year has given us a new impact and I want to remind those who benefit from the proceeds of drug crime, this time – family, friends and colleagues, that our investigation is thorough.

“And where we find links between drug barons and private citizens, we will examine their assets. It is the responsibility of every citizen to be honest in their financial dealings with people who are suspected of being the source of their wealth,” he said.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and other concerned parties for their support in the total transformation of the agency.

(AT)