US Praises Nigeria’s NDLEA for Dismantling Mexican Drug Labs

The United States has praised Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for shutting down four methamphetamine labs connected to Mexican drug cartels. This recognition came during a visit by Michael Gonzales, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

Gonzales noted that he chose Nigeria for his first official visit because of the country’s leadership in Africa and the NDLEA’s impressive achievements. He emphasized the importance of the partnership between the NDLEA and the US in fighting drug trafficking.

During his visit, Gonzales highlighted the successful operations that led to the dismantling of the labs, which he said demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and cooperation among various agencies. He warned that increased pressure on drug cartels in the Americas could lead to a shift in trafficking routes to Africa, making it crucial to continue targeting these criminal networks.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa responded by emphasizing the need for ongoing support from the US. He pointed out that drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and terrorism are interconnected issues that require coordinated international efforts. Marwa stated that every lab shut down reduces the flow of drugs to communities, including in the US.

Marwa also shared recent successes, including the dismantling of Nigeria’s largest meth lab in Ogun State, where several arrests were made. He noted that the NDLEA has made significant strides in the past five years, arresting over 96,000 drug offenders and seizing millions of kilograms of illegal drugs.

He urged the US to maintain or even increase its support for the NDLEA, stressing that any reduction could create opportunities for criminal organizations to exploit weaknesses in the fight against drug trafficking.