Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2011 Source: Vanguard (Nigeria) Copyright: 2011 Vanguard. Contact: http://www.vanguardngr.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2890 Author: Ifeanyi Okolie NDLEA SEEKS 15 YRS SENTENCE FOR DRUG OFFENDERS The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has called for the implementation of fifteen years minimum sentence for drug culprits in line the NDLEA Act. The NDLEA boss who supervised the public destruction of drug exhibits worth 9.2 billion naira at the Agency's office complex Badagry, Lagos on Friday May 6, 2011 said that stiffer punishment will help to address the drug problem in our society. Giade noted that the Agency had recorded a giant stride towards a drug and crime-free society with the destruction of 7,970.8182kg of seized and forfeited narcotics in Lagos State. The Event was witnessed by both local and international stakeholders including the Commanding Officers of the Nigeria Army at Badagry, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Africa Police attache in Lagos and other heads of security Agencies. NDLEA Chairman described the event as a morale booster for the Agency and victory for humanity in the fight against illicit drugs. The destroyed drugs, according to him, were seized within the State by officers of the Agency. Cocaine and heroin weighed 705.7913 kilogrammes, cannabis is 7,169.0194 kilogrammes while psychotropic substance is 96.0075 kilogrammes. Giade expressed optimism over the attainment of the collective dream and aspiration of Nigerians for a drug free society through gradual emasculation of drug trafficking syndicates. In his words, "the NDLEA will continue to frustrate the sinister activities of drug cartels in the country. In line with our practice, we are gradually using constant drug seizures and public destruction of forfeited drug exhibits to emasculate drug barons in our society". He added that while many drug barons have been rendered helpless, more unrepentant ones shall be dealt with in the days ahead. The Agency will continue to justify the removal of Nigeria from the Drug Majors list by the United States. According to the NDLEA, the seized drugs would have caused serious security problem for mankind globally if not for the prompt intervention of the Agency. "Most of the type A drugs seized were destined for Europe and America. Drugs are known to aggravate crime and distort the economy through money laundering with adverse social consequences. Our plan for Lagos and the entire country is to take drugs off the streets and have drug addicts rehabilitated" Giade vowed. While pledging to cut off illicit drug supply to addicts, the Agency noted that it will continue to trace cannabis plantations and destroy them before it is time for harvest; identify illicit cannabis warehouses and seize the drugs as well as arrest the drug barons and charge them to court with the final stage of drug supply control chain being the public burning of drug exhibits. The Agency vowed to give drug barons sleepless nights until the drug trade is completely eliminated from our society. It noted that the past few years had witnessed aggressive campaign of zero tolerance for corruption, strict law enforcement and respect for merit. The NDLEA boss appealed to stakeholders not to relent in their support for the Agency. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.