In the US they Trust · As United States partners Nigeria in drug war

Emeka Ibemere

The robust relationship between the United States of American Government and the Nigerian ant-drug war organization, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is like that of a father and son.

 In the last 23 years existence of the Agency, the US has played a major role in the sustainability of drug war in Nigeria, through her assistance and elaborate cooperation in making sure that drug demand reduction and trafficking and abuse were brought to their lowest ebb; if not entirely eradicated.

On Tuesday August 27, 2013 at the Conference room of the Agency’s Headquarters on Shaw Road Ikoyi, Lagos State, that cordial relationship continued unabated when the US like in the past, donated equipment to the NDLEA, in a low profile ceremony. United States Consul General, Lagos, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins described Nigeria as a great partner of the United States in drug control.

The US envoy who spoke while presenting technical equipment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos, said that the equipment would be used in the establishment of a Centre for intelligence sharing between the two countries.

“NDLEA is a great partner for the United States in drug control. The United States embarks on serious war against narcotics and we are proud to contribute in developing the capacity of the NDLEA through the establishment of a Centre for intelligence sharing” Hawkins stated.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade who received the items said that the country’s partnership with the United States has been very fruitful.

“The relationship between the United States Government and the Government of Nigeria has been characterized by similar gestures in the area of technical support. It is important to acknowledge your sustained determination to support Nigeria in winning the fight against notorious drug trafficking syndicates. This assistance to the Agency is highly treasured” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss attributed the high performance of the Agency to the growing support and partnership it has with the United States. He stated: “our collaboration in the area of intelligence gathering and joint operations has undisputedly led to high profile seizures and arrests. Training remains vital to the success of any intelligence-driven task like drug control. Your training programmes for operatives as well as high level seminars and workshops have helped greatly to enhance the capacity of personnel. We are appreciative of your support and highly motivated by your continued determination to extend our frontiers of success in the drug war”.

Giade who was smiling all through the handing over of the equipment to the NDLEA couldn’t hide his emotion over the gesture said,

 “The Agency’s investigative capacity at the airports has been greatly enhanced with the provision of scanners by the United States Government”.

 He vowed that the Agency will continue to justify the confidence the US repose in the Agency. While appreciating the removal of Nigeria from the Drug Majors List by the US he equally called on the envoy to assist the Agency in advocacy campaign.

“The prompt and objective assessment by the United States Government which led to the removal of Nigeria from the “Drug Majors List” has further increased the tempo of our campaign. We hope we can count on your advocacy support to ensure that more attention and resources are devoted to the all-important war against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking” Giade stated.

Prior to now, and in 2012 to be precise, the United States Government donated a set of body scanner to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for use at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The  then US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCauley, handed over the scanner to the Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, at the MMIA.

Some of the officials in attendance were the then Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Harold Demuren; and Project Co-ordinator, US Africa Command, Lt Col. Tim Hafner. The US Ambassador said the new scanner, was purchased and installed at $225,000, and was donated to the Nigerian Government by the US Africa Command.

McCauley said the new scanner, was capable of detecting drugs and bombs, with double role in complimenting the war against terrorism and narcotics.

He said prior to the purchase of the new scanner, the US Mission had bought four other scanners and four new drug and explosive-detecting “Itemizers” for use at Nigeria’s four international airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

He said, “Drug trafficking is a global problem that requires a global solution. Narcotics trafficking is a multibillion dollar a year business that destroys the lives of countless people, especially the youth. We will continue to fight side-by-side with you against this scourge.

“And in this spirit of cooperation, it gives me great pleasure to be with you today to dedicate an important new tool in Nigeria’s anti-drug trafficking arsenal-a second full body scanner for MMIA, that will enable NDLEA colleagues to perform quick, non-evasive searches of suspected drug traffickers and to locate illegal drugs or other contraband. This second scanner will enable NDLEA to have one scanner dedicated to arriving passengers, and one for departing passengers.” He stated.

 Giade while receiving the scanner, expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for the scanner, and said the agency would not relent in its efforts to combat the drug trafficking business in the nation’s airport.

In 2008, United States Government also donated four body scanners worth $1 million (about N117 million) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Speaking at the presentation of the scanner machines to the NDLEA boss, in Abuja the then US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, said that U.S. would continue to fight side by side with Nigeria in the fight against anti-drug trafficking Nigeria.

It will be noticed that Nigeria which used to be a transit country for heroin and cocaine destined for Europe, and to a lesser degree, the United States has gradually graduated from being a transit country to manufacturing and consuming country with discovery of five clandestine Methamphetamine laboratories in Lagos State.

 NDLEA on daily basis arrests drug couriers at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and other states. With alarming rate of increase of traffickers there are indications that the barons are exploiting the porous country’s seaports and land borders to avoid the risk of detection travelling through MMIA.

The only drug cultivated in significant amounts locally in Nigeria, is marijuana or cannabis sativa. Nigerian-grown marijuana is the most commonly abused drug domestically. Drug barons also export marijuana throughout West Africa and to Europe through Nigeria’s porous borders. The NDLEA and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) signed a memorandum of understanding in 2012 to establish a vetted unit of 14 officers to exclusively work with DEA. The unit has begun operations.

Nigeria’s counter-narcotics policy derives from a 1998 National Drug Control Master Plan. However, the NDLEA’s budget is inadequate to implement the plan. The Government of Nigeria held NDLEA’s budget at its 2011 level of approximately $61 million. Of this, 0.02 percent, or approximately $140,497 is allocated for NDLEA staff training. Personnel costs account for 92.4 percent of the NDLEA’s budget, while one percent supports capital expenditures.

The 1931 U.S.-United Kingdom Extradition Treaty, made applicable to Nigeria in 1935, remains the legal basis for U.S. extradition requests. Defendants often challenge the continued validity of the extradition treaty.

The NDLEA cooperated with international drug enforcement efforts in 2012, including joint operations with DEA. Most notable among these were the Tin Can Port seizure in May of 113.49 kilograms (kg) of heroin originating in Pakistan and the seizure of a methamphetamine laboratory in Lagos in February, 2012. The NDLEA and DEA continue to target clandestine methamphetamine production in Nigeria, which involves transnational criminal groups that legally import and then divert large quantities of precursor chemicals. Criminals have also resorted to new methods of drug trafficking. There were two seizures in 2012 of heroin woven into rugs originating from Pakistan and Iran, as well as heroin packed inside soccer balls originating from Pakistan.

The NDLEA has made good use of U.S.-provided technology and training. Most of the organization’s drug seizures occur at airports using U.S.-donated body scanners, with the vast majority occurring at MMIA. The NDLEA faces challenges with arresting the higher level drug traffickers and financiers who organize the regular traffic of low-level drug couriers.

Although there have been some reports of asset seizures since 2010, authorities do not systematically use asset seizure as enforcement tool against traffickers and money launderers. The NDLEA reported no money laundering convictions in 2012. Asset forfeiture remains challenging in Nigeria, which lacks non-conviction based forfeiture or plea bargaining laws. Without an appropriate plea bargaining mechanism, the NDLEA encounters difficulty winning cooperation from low-level couriers to build cases against criminal gang bosses. Another problem lies with Nigeria’s courts, where intimidation and corruption are common.

Marijuana is the most common illicit drug produced in Nigeria, though in 2012, the NDLEA discovered four clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in Lagos. Traffickers sell marijuana in Nigeria and export it through West Africa and into Europe, but little reaches the United States.  The NDLEA continues to pursue an aggressive eradication campaign, which destroyed 893.9 hectares of marijuana cultivation between January and September 2012.

The introduction of vigorous interdiction regimes at Nigeria’s five major seaports and its porous land borders would likely yield significant seizures. Drug seizures at the MMIA have increased by 54 percent from last year. Between January and October 2012, the NDLEA Command at MMIA seized 64.1 kg of cannabis, 64.8 kg of cocaine, 61.7 kg of heroin, 77.6 kg of methamphetamine, and 31.8 kg of ephedrine, a precursor chemical used to produce methamphetamine. NDLEA’s drug abuse awareness, demand reduction, and treatment of addicts have been hampered by lack of funds.

As NDLEA’s Demand Reduction Directorate try to reinvigorate its school-oriented programs and other programs targeting youth, professional truck and bus drivers, sex workers, community leaders, and transport workers abject poor budget allocation has been its greatest challenge. In the past year, the NDLEA counselled and rehabilitated 2,493 drug addicts, most of whom were marijuana users.

Despite NDLEA’s robust achievement in the last 23 years, Nigerian government funding for the Agency remains insufficient. In 2012, the United States facilitated the training of 30 NDLEA officers assigned to Nigeria’s four international airports to enhance detection of drug couriers, and donated an additional body scanner for MMIA; the NDLEA now has one scanner dedicated for arrivals and another for departures courtesy of the US.

The United States works closely with the NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies to strengthen capacity. The United States also promotes greater cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA to improve interdiction at the vulnerable seaports and porous land borders.

 In 2012, the United States funded a counter-narcotics advisor and DEA established its elite vetted unit, both of which will help to improve the NDLEA’s ability to conduct complex cases. The United States facilitated the transfer of vessels and provided a wide range of maritime operational and small boat maintenance training to assist in building Nigeria’s maritime law enforcement capability.

Last week, the United States Jeffery Hawkins promised that US will continue to engage the Government of Nigeria to combat drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering, and other criminal issues. Counter Narcotics and Drug Enforcement Advisor

On Counter Narcotics and Drug Enforcement Advisor, the United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, established Bureau for International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), at American Embassy Lagos, Nigeria. The Counter Narcotics (CN) and Drug Enforcement Advisor position is located at the US Consulate General, Lagos, Nigeria and involves various travels within Nigeria, particularly to the capital city of Abuja. The Advisor will work in close proximity with senior leadership of Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos. It was gathered that the Advisor will advise the NDLEA to help build capacity of investigations and the prosecution of key individuals committing international drug trafficking and other related organized crimes.

Our Correspondent also learned that the Advisor will coordinate with the US diplomatic mission in Nigeria, including the Director of the Office of International Law Enforcement Assistance at the US Embassy, Abuja, and the Director of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at the US Consulate General, Lagos. The Advisor will also provide training to NDLEA staff and make recommendations for additional training/assistance. The primary purpose will be to strengthen the capacity of the NDLEA and to increase its CN capabilities against the primary organized narcotics traffickers.

According to sources close to the NDLEA, the duties and responsibilities of the Advisor was to advise senior leadership of the NDLEA on planning, designing, and implementing actions that develop the institutional capacity of the NDLEA and improve the investigation and prosecution of key individuals involved in international drug trafficking and other related crimes.

It will also design effective strategies in which the NDLEA can use the successful interdiction of lower level drug traffickers to dismantle the criminal organizations behind drug trafficking throughout Nigeria.

The advisor was to provide aid in the development of NDLEA institutional goals, objectives, and internal personnel support measures, including training and equipment that will support overall NDLEA capabilities to complete its CN mission. It includes advising NDLEA leadership on ways to increase international and regional cooperation with other CN and law enforcement partners, including the exchange of information and opportunities for joint training and operations.

They are to advise NDLEA leadership on changes in policies and practices that may augment its capacities and lead to improved results in its ongoing efforts against international narcotics and related organized crimes, evaluate requests from the NDLEA for operational, logistical, or institutional support. Recommend supportive courses of action to the INL and DEA offices within the US diplomatic mission to Nigeria. According to the agreement, the Advisor will proffer advice to the NDLEA leadership on CN training programs based on the appropriate skill sets needed by NDLEA personnel and participate in regular liaison meetings with interested parties to develop annual training plans and to monitor effectiveness of activities.

Monitor and review, in coordination with the US diplomatic mission to Nigeria, the use of any US government assistance provided to the NDLEA during the term of the contract. The purpose of this oversight is to ensure, any United States Government (USG) provided commodities and financial support are delivered in a timely manner and properly utilized in accordance with applicable USG regulatory standards and waste, fraud, and/or abuse is prevented. Prepare and present briefings to NDLEA, other Nigerian law enforcement agencies, the US diplomatic mission in Nigeria, third country government officials, officials of international organizations concerning counternarcotics programs, and achievements in Nigeria.

Prepare monthly reports on the status of ongoing activities and accomplishments regarding the assistance to the NDLEA in augmenting its CN capabilities. The key objective of increasing NDLEA capacity is to dismantle major drug trafficking operations.

In 2008 Nigeria was certified by the United States of America in the anti-narcotic crusade, for the eight successive times. The then President of America, 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.  The U.S. Department of State in 2005 noted that there have been credible allegations of drug-related corruption at NDLEA. In late November 2005 NDLEA Chairman Bello Lafiaji was dismissed by President Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption and replaced by Ahmadu Giade, a retired deputy commissioner of police.

It would recall that through the United States government, Nigeria was removed from the major drug list in 2012.

According to a statement released by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the US President, Barrack Obama, said that this was the first time that Nigeria would be delisted from the drug majors list since 1991.

The anti-narcotics agency stated that Mr Obama said that Nigeria was a onetime drug trafficking focal point but that the country had taken a lot of drastic steps to make counter narcotics a top national security for the country. He said that international data showed that there was a strengthening of illegal drug trafficking between Latin America and West Africa, especially via Brazil and Venezuela, with a considerable portion of illegal product destined for Europe.

According to the report, Nigeria, Brazil, and Paraguay were recently removed that year from the list because they no longer meet the criteria for the list according to US law. Ahmadu Giade, the Chief Executive of the NDLEA, said that Nigeria had gotten a well deserved honour. He noted that the removal of Nigeria from the majors’ drug list was an endorsement of the collective efforts of the agency to combat drug traffickers with the aim of having a drug free society.

According to him, the honour given to Nigeria by removing her from the drug list was as a product of dedication, transparency, hard work, and cordial working relationship between Nigeria and United States in controlling drug trafficking in the country.

“I appreciate President Barrack Obama and Americans for this candid and credible assessment,” he said.

 “The removal speaks volumes concerning our impressive scorecard and determination to address the drug problem. Illicit trade in narcotics transcends national boundaries. Our foreign collaborators also have a way of monitoring most assiduous efforts. All exit entry points will remain invincible to drug criminals through effective drug interdiction.”

The NDLEA boss also thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his anti-drug policies, and other stakeholders for their unrelenting efforts. He promised that no drug baron or major drug trafficker would go unpunished in the country, adding that NDLEA was one of the best anti-drugs agencies in Africa and that the agency is prepared to make sacrifices to sustain and improve on its drug control performance.

 “Our level of professionalism shall be further consolidated on the tripod of transparency, anti-corruption and respect for the rule of law,” he said.

 “It is a call to duty that demands higher commitment on our part. We shall continue to partner with the United States and other stakeholders. No stone will be left unturned in our quest for a drug free society.”