Regulatory Affair: NDLEA, Pakistani agencies move to curb illegal drug trafficking

*Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Pakistani agencies have adopted vital resolutions on improving their cooperation to tackle the menace of illicit drug trafficking between both countries, especially pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a move to further safeguard the wellbeing of their citizens, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it held talks with its Pakistani counterparts, to explore ways of collaboration to restrict channels of illegal drug trafficking and prohibited substances between Nigeria and Pakistan.

Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, noted this development in a statement issued at the weekend.

The NDLEA disclosed the Pakistani agencies include the Division of Controlled Drugs of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Controlled Substances Section of the Ministry of Narcotics Control.

Babafemi stated Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, had approved a delegation to the meeting held February 27 this year, in Vienna, Austria.

The anti-narcotics regulatory agency also said the delegation comprised Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday Nbona; and Director, Operations and General Investigation, Gadzama Samuel Bashir.

Others are Head, Data/Digital Intelligence, Directorate of Intelligence, Abdulrahman Adebowale; and Directorate of Seaport Operations, Aminu Danjuma Jega.

Babafemi further noted Aderemi Afolabi, Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) joined the visiting delegation.

The statement said: “The strategic case meeting, which brought the two countries face to face to discuss their responsibilities, held under the supervision of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), focused on improved communication and exchange of real time intelligence, using the INCB communication tools, Ion Incident Communication System, IONICS between NDLEA and the Pakistani anti-narcotics agencies.”

After the talks, the two delegations as well adopted important resolutions on how to improve their cooperation and tackle the menace of illicit drug trafficking between both countries, especially pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol.

According to NDLEA, the Pakistani delegation was  composed Mr. Ahmad Din, Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP; Mr. Arif Muhammad, Additional Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP; Mr. Ammar Ali, Director (Anti-Narcotics Force), Regional Directorate, North, ANF; and Mr. Syed Saadat Ali Bokhari, Section Officer, Controlled Substances Section, Ministry of Narcotics Control.

Babafemi stated: “They expressed commitment to improving operational communication with the NDLEA through existing networks between both countries and by using more frequently the possibilities offered by IONICS, the INCB’s tool of real time communication.”