By Kenneth Ehigiator
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, vowed weekend to ensure that proceeds from illicit drugs were not used for the 2011 general elections.

Consequently, the agency said it was working with other security agencies to frustrate efforts of drug barons to launder their money into campaigns for the elections.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, who made the declaration, said the agency was currently working out strategies to trace such illegal drug proceeds.

According to him, drug merchants may have overbearing influence on the government, if they are allowed to plow their money into politics and in the process, make impossible strict control and enforcement of regulations against narcotics’ trade.

Giade said:  “As 2011 draws near, all efforts to check activities of drug cartels must be intensified. Illicit proceeds of drug deals are lethal arsenal in the hands of criminals. It is capable of destabilizing national economic plans as well as frustrating monetary and fiscal control, thus leading to poverty, underdevelopment and anarchy.

“Assets derived from illicit drug trade can be used to influence political decisions and overthrow legitimate governments.

“Drug barons who successfully channel their resources in politics may exert overbearing influence over candidates and officials who are their beneficiaries.

“In the circumstance, drug merchants would wield both political and economic powers thereby making strict control and enforcement of regulations against trade in narcotics and psychotropic substances very difficult.  These are the conditions that more or less prevail in countries having serious drug problem.”

He noted that studies had revealed that drugs remained the most significant source of funds for the spread of extreme violent and terrorist organizations in several parts of the world, adding that funds derived from illicit drug business could only be compared with that of crude oil.

The NDLEA boss said with such limitless funds at the disposal of drug barons, they could recruit at will and acquire any arms and ammunition with little hindrance.

Giade also noted that illicit drug production, distribution and abuse lead to incalculable personal, social, cultural, political and national security hazards, stressing that the consequence of such action could be devastating on a nation and its people.

“The consequences of cultivation, processing or manufacturing, packaging, smuggling, retailing and peddling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are disastrous.
“Our task, therefore, is to consciously checkmate the activities of drug barons through fearless and unflinching commitment to drug control policies,” he said.