Key areas of the agreement include exchange of intelligence, training, sharing of expertise and joint investigation
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) has entered into an agreement with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug crimes.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at the weekend by both parties in Lagos, the anti-drug bodies agreed on more collaborative efforts to fight drug smuggling.
The DEA is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States.
Key areas of the agreement include exchange of intelligence, training, sharing of expertise, and joint investigation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking syndicates.
Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA Chairman, who signed on behalf of Nigeria, expressed confidence in the benefits of the new partnership.
Giade described the partnership as “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,” he continued.
Explaining some of the new challenges confronting the agency, particularly at the seaports, Giade said NDLEA has recorded series of drug seizures since 2006 when it made its largest seizure of 14,200kg of cocaine at Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
“In the past two years, we have been confronted with the challenge of dismantling clandestine laboratories. This agreement is therefore a right step in the right direction,” Giade said.
He also assured the public of “more high profile arrests and seizures of drugs in the days ahead.”
Russel Benson, USDEA Regional Director in charge of Europe and Africa, who signed on behalf of the United States, stressed his government’s commitment to the war on narcotics.
He promised to work together with his Nigerian counterpart in the “war on drug cartels.”
“This is a strong indication that our partnership is getting better. We must launch attacks on those who don’t care about public safety,” he said.
