NDLEA, US-DEA forge stronger alliance against drug cartels and terror financing

Crime Diary, International

ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying joint efforts against drug cartels and disrupting their ability to fund organised crimes, including violent extremism and terrorism.

The pledge was made by NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and DEA Country Attaché Daphne Morrison at a bilateral counter-narcotics workshop held on Tuesday at NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa described the workshop as strategic and timely, aimed at aligning Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement leadership on major drug-related threats. He stressed the link between drug trafficking and terrorism, noting that “proceeds from the poison sold on our streets are the same funds used to purchase weapons that destabilise our regions.”

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He warned that Nigeria’s geographic position makes it a growing target for international cartels, especially as enforcement pressure mounts in Latin America. “A significant proportion of illicit drugs entering Nigeria are destined for onward trafficking to Europe, North America, and Asia,” he said, underscoring the urgency of coordinated global action.

Marwa added that the workshop provides a critical opportunity to deepen collaboration, enhance intelligence-driven operations, and build a unified front against criminal networks. He expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for its consistent support, emphasising that the partnership is “operational, practical, and results-oriented.”

Morrison praised NDLEA’s record-breaking seizures and arrests under Marwa’s leadership, calling the workshop “a declaration of our unified stand against transnational criminal organisations.” She highlighted the importance of strengthening intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training to empower NDLEA operatives.

She concluded by stressing that “the strength of our partnership lies in shared responsibility and collective action,” urging participants to use the workshop to build a robust and actionable strategy for 2026.