TheCable

Will Stevens, the United States Consul-general in Nigeria, says the flow of illicit drugs is a threat to countries of the world.

Stevens spoke on Wednesday at the handover of the renovated forensics laboratory and offices to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.

The forensic laboratory was renovated by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The consul-general said, “illicit drug production, trafficking, and consumption are linked to organised crime, illegal financial flows, and increasingly terrorist financing”.

“This increasing flow of drugs is a threat to African countries, the United States, and the world. The same people who can move drugs can also move weapons, people, wildlife goods, and other illicit products,” he said.

“This threatens the security of not just one nation or people, but the international community. We appreciate Nigeria’s strong regional leadership to combat these threats, its committed efforts to stop these criminal activities within the borders of Nigeria, and its partnership with the United States.

“The global opioid crisis calls for a coordinated, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary global response. The synthetic drugs market is increasingly diverse, posing challenges for detecting, identifying, and monitoring as well as controlling these substances.

“It is with pride that US mission in Nigeria has partnered with the NDLEA to renovate and modernize this chemical forensic laboratory in Lagos.

“This $500,000 investment will ensure our partners have the state-of-the-art equipment needed to analyze suspicious substances and evidence collected from crime scenes and suspects.

“To ensure they and their colleagues around the country are best equipped to meet the evolving trends in the illegal drug market, the US government has committed to sending Nigerian laboratory technicians on professional exchanges in the United States to allow them to learn best practices in the field.”

Also speaking, Buba Marwa, chairman of NDLEA, said the upgrade of the agency’s forensic laboratory would enhance operational standards and optimal performance.

Marwa said the upgraded forensic laboratory would further enhance the agency’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

“With this facility, NDLEA is anticipating the provision of state-of-the-art analytical equipment, which will enhance optimal performance in line with standard operational laboratory procedures and best practices,” he said.

“This in turn will enhance evidence-based analytical processes in our forensic analysis.”