As part of efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking between Nigeria and South Africa Corridors, senior officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have held a two-day meeting with their South African counterparts in the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation popularly known as HAWKS.
In a statement, the spokesman NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi said the meeting is to forge stronger operational ties that will herald tough times for drug syndicates operating between the two countries.
The Chairman NDLEA, Buba Marwa represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, said the deliberation which is a follow up to a virtual one held in April 2022, will deepen collaboration in tackling global drug problem.
He stated that this will also provide a framework for enhanced information exchange, and Joint Operations/Joint Airport Interdiction that will benefit our two countries.
While emphasizing the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking cartels, particularly the proliferation of methamphetamine laboratories and the emergence of fentanyl production facilities, Marwa said this demands swift action through the seamless exchange of intelligence and technical expertise.
“This will not only help to halt the spread of illicit production of these deadly illicit drugs but also prevent locally produced ones from being smuggled between both countries. The need for collaboration became urgent given the volume of trade and social interactions between the two countries leading to a corresponding trade in illicit drugs. Another expected outcome of this visit is the expectation of an agreed mechanism that would lead to the dislodgement and disruption of major drug trafficking syndicates operating between the two jurisdictions”, Marwa stated.
In his response, leader of the South African delegation, Lt. Gen. Senaba Mosipi stressed that the collaboration between the two countries was necessary because criminals operating in the drug trade recognise no borders, or geographical boundaries.
“We have the capacity to work together no matter the distance between our countries. The operational collaboration between NDLEA and HAWKS is important to combat the operations of criminal syndicates in our two countries”, the South African official stated.
