10 Functions Of NDLEA In Nigeria and Roles In Preventing Drug Abuse – Nigeria’s federal law enforcement agency is the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Decree number 48 created the drug enforcement agency on January 1, 1990. The Act of Parliament is now known as Decree No. 48. The aim of the Act is to combat drug smuggling, trafficking, and use both inside and outside Nigeria’s borders. At the time, the country’s narcotics and human trafficking markets were rapidly expanding. The NDLEA act was enacted in response to these concerns. What part does NDLEA play in preventing drug abuse in Nigeria?
Functions Of NDLEA In Nigeria
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has the following responsibilities:
Prevent illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs
The NDLEA’s main goal is to put in place steps to prevent drug trafficking inside and around the country’s borders.
Enforcing Drug Laws
The department is in charge of overseeing the arrests, investigations, and prosecutions of all drug trafficking offenses. Outside of the NDLEA, there are other drug divisions with similar roles. These outlying institutions collaborate with the NDLEA and are accountable to it in the execution of their duties.
Working Beyond Borders to Stifle Drug Activities
The authority of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency is generally limited to Nigeria. They do, however, have foreign commitments. They are in charge of pursuing and organizing drug investigations in Nigeria, both at home and abroad. They will collaborate with foreign narcotics units on enforcing drug laws and suppressing illegal trafficking activities on a variety of fronts. Performing operations in the detention, investigation, and prosecution of drug-related crimes also necessitate the collaboration of many drug agencies from different countries.
Trace and Seize Financial Proceeds from Drug-Related Activities
The Agency also maintains track of drug trafficking’s financial flow. They are in charge of identifying, investigating, and confiscating financial proceeds obtained from drug-related offenses. Money is the lifeblood of illegal and illicit drug trafficking. Many drug-related offenses cannot be prosecuted without financial backing. As a result, the NDLEA’s most important purpose could be to collect as much money as possible from drug trafficking and other illicit drug-related activities.
Eradication of Narcotic Plants and Substances
The Agency’s function is often as straightforward as beginning at the top of the food chain:
Illicit production of narcotic plants and drugs must be eradicated.
They even aim to suppress the market for opioids and psychotropic drugs.
Building on the Effectiveness of Eradication Efforts
The Agency’s legislative responsibilities don’t stop at compliance. They must also tweak eradication measures of drug-related crimes on a regular basis to boost their efficacy. Drug traffickers and their associates are constantly on the lookout for a competitive advantage, and their operations are never stagnant. It is important for the NDLEA’s operations and processes to be dynamic as well.
The NDLEA Plays an Important Role in Drug-Related Research
The organization serves as a research unit and a clearinghouse for scientific and technological knowledge aimed at ending the illicit use of narcotic drugs and substances. Psychotropic drugs are constantly being modified to create new illicit substances, and the NDLEA plays a part in investigating and collecting information on these practices. The majority of drug misuse is caused by legally produced drugs being used unintentionally and then converted into illegal drug trafficking. Drugs, including antidepressants, stimulants, and analgesics, are often accused of addiction and violence. The aim of the Agency’s research and technical information is to collect intelligence on these activities on a regular basis. It’s frequently a fine line to walk. The organization must ensure that these “controlled drugs” are accessible for medical purposes while also avoiding misuse and illegal distribution. The study and information aid in the discovery of possible diversion sources and the implementation of civil measures.
Early Destruction and Disposal of Narcotic Drugs
Seized drugs are promptly destroyed and disposed of by the federal law enforcement agency.
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It is their responsibility to ensure that illegal drugs seized and intercepted are kept under control.
Upholding the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and Similar International Drug Protocols
The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances are two international conventions on illegal drugs.
These conventions and guidelines were put in place to reduce the volume of narcotic drug trafficking.
Within its jurisdiction and beyond, the NDLEA has a responsibility to complement the measures stipulated by these conventions as required.
Identify and Investigate Suspects of illegal drug use and Participation.
Under the provisions of the drug act, anyone suspected of being involved in drug-related crimes must be detected and investigated.
The Nigerian Drug Enforcement Agencies play a variety of important roles.
What You Need to Know About the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency
Agency Overview
The band was formed on January 1, 1990.
Budget for the year: NGN325 million (FY2017)
7,600 employees (2014)
Government Agency
Jurisdictional Structure
Nigeria’s Federal Agency
Federal Law Enforcement is a broad term that refers to a variety of activities that are related to law.
Operational Structure
NHQ is located at 4 Shaw Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Agent Executives: Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Chairman/Chief Executive Officer) (2015)
The Federal Ministry of Justice is the parent agency.
Website
- http://www.ndlea.gov.ng/v1/
Seal of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency
Departments of the Nigerian Drug Enforcement Agency
- Directorate of Operations and General Investigation
- Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigation
- Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services
- Directorate of Drug Demand Reduction
- Directorate of Training and Manpower Development
- Directorate of Technical
Contact
State Branches of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency
The NDLEA’s important functions have been discussed in this paper.
Please let us know if you have any concerns or need clarification on any of the federal Agency’s roles in the comments section below.
That concludes our discussion of the NDLEA’s Functions and Roles in Preventing Drug Abuse in Nigeria.