SECRETARY to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, has expressed concern over huge proceeds derived from illicit drug trade in the country.

Anyim, who called for strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws to financially incapacitate drug cartels, assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of support for optimal performance.

The SGF spoke yesterday in Abuja at an event to mark this year’s “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking” with the theme, “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs.”

According to Anyim, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, “the huge resources derived from illicit drug trade cannot be ignored because criminals can undermine governments and economies with such proceeds.”

Illicit drug activities of cartels he said must be stopped in the interest of public peace and security, just as he assure that he would ensure that NDLEA was provided with the needed support to perform optimally.

Also, United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has canvassed reduction in the demand for illicit drugs as the best means of tackling the menace of drug cultivation, production and trafficking.

Ban, who opined that fighting the supply of illicit drugs was only half of the equation, said that unless the demand for illegitimate drugs is reduced, drug trafficking, cultivation and its production couldn’t be effectively tackled.

Speaking through the acting Country Representative, United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Oliver Stolpe, yesterday in Abuja at the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the UN Secretary General maintained that governments have the responsibility to counteract drug trafficking and its abuse.

“But communities can also make a major contribution, families, schools, civil society and religious organisations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.    Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods; the media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics,” he added.

Ban said the $61 billion generated yearly from Afghan Opiates was responsible for funding insurgency, international terrorism and wider destabilisation.

He stressed that in West Africa, the $85 billion global cocaine trade is exacerbating addiction and money laundering while fueling political instability and threats to security.

Meanwhile, 70 drug dealers have been arrested by NDLEA officials in Ogun State within the last three months, the state Director of the agency, Mohammed Mohammed, disclosed in Abeokuta yesterday.

He spoke while addressing the media to mark this year’s drug day.
Mohammed who expressed deep worry about drug trafficking in the country, also disclosed that his men had discovered 50 hectares of Indian hemp farm in Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu-North Local Council of the state, following a tip-off.

The NDLEA chief said that he was surprised to discover that some farmlands in Ijebu-Igbo had already been converted to Indian hemp plantation “due to the cooperation of the people in the area.”

Also, no fewer than 67 illicit drug suspects have been arrested by the Osun State command of the NDLEA in the last 12 months with exhibits totalling 3.8 tonnes of Indian hemp valued at N120 million seized.

The state commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Anthonia Ndu, disclosed this yesterday in Osogbo while briefing reporters on the activities to commemorate this year’s “United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Within the same period, the command secured 36 convictions at the Federal High court, Osogbo, while 34 other litigations were still pending.

And, 38 persons have so far been arrested by the Taraba State command of the NDLEA for possession of illicit drugs and Indian hemps cultivation, among other crimes.

The state NDLEA Commandant, Ishaku Yusuf Kwajafa, who disclosed this yesterday at the commemoration of the United Nation International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Jalingo, said the arrests were made within the last six months.

He stressed the readiness of the command to make Taraba a drug-free state by working tirelessly in spite of its “lean resources.”

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Jun 27 2011. Filed under Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry