Illicit drugs: NDLEA partners Pakistani counterparts

By Olukayode Idowu

A signed statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Saturday said the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) had approved a delegation comprising Joseph Sunday Nbona, Director, Prosecution and Legal Services; Gadzama Samuel Bashir, Director, Operations and General Investigation; Abdulrahman Adebowale, Head, Data/Digital Intelligence, Directorate of Intelligence and Aminu Danjuma Jega, Directorate of Seaport Operations, who were joined by Aderemi Afolabi, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, for the February 27th meeting in Vienna, Austria.

He 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.

Babafemi disclosed that at the end of the talks, the two delegations 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.

He said the Pakistani delegation was composed of 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 said 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.