Drug trafficking in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region generates an estimated $400 billion annually, according to Ousmane Touré, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) country representative for Nigeria.
Touré made this revelation during a panel discussion at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on January 31.
He warned that the massive profits from the illicit drug trade fuel a range of criminal activities, including arms smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering.
Drug Trade Linked to Organized Crime and Terrorism
The UNODC official noted that criminal networks involved in drug trafficking operate complex value chains, often intertwining with other transnational crimes such as gold mining and resource exploitation in conflict-affected areas.
“These networks need a value chain,” Touré explained, emphasizing that drug cartels are diversifying their operations to sustain illicit profits.
Challenges in Fighting Drug Trafficking
Despite clear indications of a connection between drug trafficking and terrorism, Touré highlighted the difficulty in securing concrete evidence to prosecute those responsible.
He called for increased investment in research and intelligence gathering to dismantle these networks.
Call for Stronger Measures
To combat the growing drug crisis in the region, Touré urged authorities to:
Strengthen border control measures to prevent cross-border smuggling.
Enhance regional cooperation to track and disrupt drug cartels.
Implement institutional reforms to eliminate corruption within law enforcement agencies.
With the region already grappling with insurgency and insecurity, experts warn that unchecked drug trafficking could further destabilize communities and fuel violent extremism.
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