[ad_1]
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has partnered with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to disrupt cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking networks working alongside the Nigeria–Australia drug route.
The growth was disclosed in a press release issued by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The partnership, formalised by means of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will strengthen intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and investigations concentrating on prison teams shifting illicit medication between the 2 nations.
Nigeria, Australia target cocaine and meth networks
Speaking on the signing ceremony on the NDLEA nationwide headquarters in Abuja, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), mentioned the settlement would offer a proper framework for cooperation towards trafficking networks working alongside the Nigeria–Australia route.
- “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formalises existing cooperation between the two agencies into a structured strategic alliance against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria–Australia drug route,” the assertion learn partly.
The settlement covers 4 areas: intelligence and knowledge sharing, joint and coordinated operations, capability constructing {and professional} growth, and managed supply of suspected drug shipments.
Marwa mentioned Nigerian organised crime teams had develop into more and more linked to the Australia-Pacific drug route, significantly within the trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamine. He added that Nigeria was being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub by worldwide drug networks.
The NDLEA chairman mentioned the settlement would take impact instantly and expressed confidence that it might result in joint drug seizures, arrests of high-value targets and profitable managed deliveries.
NDLEA cites cocaine seizures, meth labs
Marwa cited latest operations as proof of the size of worldwide drug trafficking involving Nigeria. These included the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine supposed for export and the dismantling of 4 methamphetamine laboratories in latest months, with Mexican nationals reportedly concerned within the operations.
According to the chairman, one of many laboratory operations resulted in seizures valued at greater than $360 million.
He additionally cited the dismantling of a Switzerland-based drug cartel linked to a Nigerian nationwide, Simon Amadi, following greater than a 12 months of collaboration between the NDLEA, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and legislation enforcement businesses in France, Greece and Switzerland. The cartel’s belongings in Nigeria have additionally been focused.
The head of the Australian Federal Police delegation, Ms Sandra Booth, mentioned cooperation with Nigeria was necessary as a result of Australia was a vacation spot marketplace for illicit medication, the place traffickers might command important costs.
She warned that trafficking networks additionally used proceeds from drug gross sales to finance different prison actions, together with violent assaults involving recruited younger and susceptible folks.
Booth mentioned the Australian authorities needed to work with Nigeria to forestall medication from reaching its market and shield younger folks and different susceptible teams.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria Leilani Bin-Juda, Deputy High Commissioner Timothy Milikan and members of the AFP delegation, alongside senior NDLEA officers.
Previous drug busts expose Nigeria route
The settlement follows earlier NDLEA investigations into worldwide drug networks utilizing Nigeria to maneuver illicit substances to abroad markets, together with Australia.
In September 2025, Nairametrics reported that the company had dismantled a global drug trafficking cartel working between Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
The new MoU gives a direct cooperation framework between Nigerian and Australian legislation enforcement businesses to pursue trafficking networks linked to the route.
[ad_2]
Source link
