NDLEA and fight against methamphetamine in Nigeria

Nigeria has been tackling the problem of illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse with significant results over the years. Numerous spectacular drug seizures and high profile arrests have been recorded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) since inception. Cannabis which is popularly known as hemp or marijuana was the only locally produced drug […]

Nigeria has been tackling the problem of illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse with significant results over the years. Numerous spectacular drug seizures and high profile arrests have been recorded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) since inception. Cannabis which is popularly known as hemp or marijuana was the only locally produced drug in the country while other drugs like cocaine and heroin are smuggled into the country from producer nations. This situation is gradually changing following the recent discovery of several clandestine laboratories by the NDLEA.  
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2015 report, Africa continues to be used as a trans-shipment area for smuggling cocaine across the Atlantic into Europe. West Africa is equally fast becoming an established source of methamphetamine smuggled to East and South-East Asia via Southern Africa or Europe, with new trafficking routes linking previously unconnected regional methamphetamine markets. The rise in drug seizures by the NDLEA in the past two decades clearly underscores the desperation of Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTO) to pursue their selfish ambition to the detriment of the larger society. 
In addition, it has power to investigate persons suspected to have dealings in drugs and other related matter in order to arrest, seize drug exhibits, trace and confiscate illicit drug proceeds. This way, drug barons are financially incapacitated to quit the criminal act. The discovery and closure of methamphetamine production laboratories in Nigeria by the anti-narcotic agency is both apt and commendable. It will strategically disrupt the planned shipment of methamphetamine out of the sub-region by enemies of the State.
Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is a white odourless, bitter tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Meth as it is commonly called is produced in clandestine laboratories using precursor chemicals. It is commonly inhaled, smoked and injected with adverse consequences on users.  Some long term effects of methamphetamine include psychosis, severe dental problem, hallucination, weight and memory loss as well as aggressive or violent behaviour. 
The search for clandestine laboratories in Nigeria can be traced to 2009 when significant seizures of methamphetamine leaving the country were made at the airports. This happened without corresponding inward seizures of methamphetamine into the country. Suspicion of possible local production also heightened following cases of precursor chemical diversion recorded by the Agency as well as a meth production recipe found on a Nigerian deportee from China.
Subsequently, the first methamphetamine clandestine laboratory was detected by the NDLEA in 2011 at Ojo, Lagos. The Agency through collaboration received two forensic experts from the United States who assisted in dismantling the laboratory. This led to capacity building programmes for officers on how to detect, dismantle and suppress the proliferation of clandestine laboratories. These deliberate efforts by the NDLEA soon resulted in the discovery of more methamphetamine laboratories in the country.
Official statistics of the NDLEA shows that eleven methamphetamine laboratories have so far been detected between June 2011 and March 2016. The laboratories are concentrated in Lagos, South West and Anambra, South East States of Nigeria. They had five laboratories each while one was found in Delta State. The latest laboratory detected in March 2016, along Ibuzor Road Asaba, Delta State has been described by experts as a ‘super’ laboratory. This is because it has a whopping production capacity of between 3,000kgs and 4,000kgs of methamphetamine per production cycle.
Unlike the previous ten laboratories that can only produce between 20kgs to 50kgs per production cycle. One significant feature of the super laboratory is that it operates on chemical synthesis process which is also more technical and sophisticated. The arrest of four suspected Mexican drug lords and methamphetamine production experts further validates the large scope of the laboratory. Meanwhile, three Bolivians methamphetamine experts were also arrested by the NDLEA in a clandestine laboratory at satellite town, Lagos in 2012. This arrest of foreigners is a reflection of the desperation of local drug cartels in forming unwholesome alliances with North American drug cartels.
All nine accused persons, four Mexicans and five Nigerians have been arraigned by the NDLEA at the Federal High Court Asaba for their alleged roles in the super laboratory. They are Chief Chibi Aruh, William Ejike Agusi, Umolu Kosisochukwu, Izuchukwu Anieto and Anthony Ckukwemeka Umolu. Others are Mexicans, Cervantos Madrid Jose Bruno, Rivas Ruiz Pastiano, Castillo Barraza Cristobal and Partida Gonzalez Pedro.
It was gathered that at the time the laboratory was raided, methamphetamine production was in progress. Items recovered at the laboratory include 1.5kg of finished crystal methamphetamine and 750 litres of liquid methamphetamine.
There has been a phenomenal rise in the recruitment of unemployed youths as drug mules. Official figures of the NDLEA shows that about one hundred and sixty-two(162) suspected drug traffickers were apprehended at the nation’s airports with 982.424kgs almost a ton of methamphetamine between 2009 and March 2016. Mass production of the drug also has the tendency to increase the number of persons in prisons on drug related offences both within and outside the country.
Methamphetamine production poses a serious threat to humanity because of the toxic nature of chemicals used. The toxic waste generated pollutes the environment. About three to six pound of toxic waste is created for every one pound of methamphetamine.
This can contaminate the water table and affect plants and mankind within the production areas. A regular laboratory contains pyrophoric reagents capable of igniting spontaneously on exposure to air and carcinogenic chemicals having the potential to cause cancer.
Local consumption of methamphetamine is low today because it is more profitable to sell in Asia and Europe where prices are higher. This situation may be short-lived due to price volatility. Efforts must therefore be intensified in tracing more clandestine laboratories in the country.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) has assured Nigerians that the Agency is committed to the total dismantling of drug trafficking organisations. Abdallah vowed to trace and shut down all methamphetamine production laboratories in the country. The assurances given by the NDLEA boss is very encouraging considering his vast experience in security intelligence and the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari to eradicate illicit drugs from the country.

Mr. Mitchell is the Head, Public Affairs National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)