DRUG AGENCY TOUTS SUCCESS, BURNS NARCOTICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001264

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO DEA FOR OI, OEE, AND NTRE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014
TAGS: SNAR PREL NI
SUBJECT: DRUG AGENCY TOUTS SUCCESS, BURNS NARCOTICS


Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 B and D


1. (U) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
Lagos State Command, and Murtala Muhammed International
Airport (MMIA) Special Area Command hosted a destruction of
illegal drugs on August 4. Almost 11.3 tons (11,469
kilograms) were set ablaze, including 139 Kg of cocaine, 78
Kg of heroine, 9,151 Kg of cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp),and
17 Kg of other psychotropics. (This brings the total amount
of seized drugs destroyed throughout the country over the
last 5 years to 93.5 tons.)


2. (U) In his address to the gathering, NDLEA Chairman Bello
Lafiagi declared the continued seizures of illegal substances
were "clear proof" of the NDLEA's efficacy in stemming
illegal drug trafficking. However, he also stressed the
fight against drug trafficking would be a long one; he used
the occasion to request continued support from Nigerian
society. The Chairman also acknowledged support from
international collaborators, including the UN Office for
Drugs and Crimes, the US DEA, the British Customs Service,
the German BKA, and the South African Police, in particular.


3. (C) Comment: The seizure and destruction of the drugs
are commendable. However, this highly publicized event does
not make amends for the continuing gaps in Nigeria's
anti-narcotics regimen. Several senior NDLEA officials
acknowledge the need to more vigorously target key players in
trafficking organizations. MMIA Special Area Commander
Abdullah Abubakar Danburam highlighted the difficulty of
penetrating the multiple layers of a drug organization and of
going beyond the low-level couriers to getting the real
architects of these networks. Toward this objective, DEA
will be encouraging the NDLEA to agree to revive the joint
DEA-NDLEA task force, which had some investigative success in
the mid-90's, in order to increase cooperation between the
two organizations and to serve as the primary mechanism for
operations against key traffickers. End comment.
BROWNE