NDLEA targets barons’ assets in fresh fight against drug trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial assets and criminal proceeds, saying the strategy is aimed at crippling the operations of drug cartels across the country.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brgd. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this at a joint press briefing with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday to announce weeklong activities marking the 2026 World Drug Day.

“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are liquidating their financial empires,” Marwa, who was represented at the briefing by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, said.

According to him, the agency is deploying civil action in rem instruments to target and forfeit assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes to the Federal Government.

“Through the civil action in rem instrumentalities, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,” he said.

Related News Ex-minister to deliver keynote address at Odukoya memorial lecture

Oyo abduction: Inside terrorists’ plot to stall rescue

Customs seize expired drugs, 1.8 tonnes of cannabis

Marwa said the agency’s legal department had recorded unprecedented conviction rates, aided by the Proceeds of Crime Act, which has strengthened NDLEA’s capacity to pursue the financial interests of drug barons beyond criminal prosecution.

He added that the agency’s offensive action against drug cartels, launched in January 2021, had maintained what he described as relentless momentum, leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of major drug barons.

On the activities lined up for the World Drug Day, he said on Saturday, June 20 (today), the agency would hold a Walk Against Drugs in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation, starting at 8:00 am from the African University of Science and Technology in Galadimawa.

A Thanksgiving Church Service will follow on Sunday, June 21 (tomorrow), to commit the week’s activities to God.