Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for organised crime groups around the globe. It is a dirty-game in modern day and therefore requires urgent action against this nefarious business, which has a much wider disruptive impact on society.
The highly coordinated enterprise mostly thrives in the shadows, generating millions of dollars for the powerful syndicate behind it. It is such that it knows no boundaries and affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
However, in view of the well coordinated tactics employed by traffickers, countries can make headway through collective and pragmatic approaches. It isn’t going to be an easy battle but through strategic partnerships, relentless advocacy, and comprehensive action, nations can end lucrative business at the expense of states.
In yesterday’s edition of The Point we published an article in which narcotic agents in the country have taken into custody two Bissau Guineans with 104 suspected blocks of cocaine.
The suspects, Abulai Seidi and Ndey Jatta were both arrested by the narcotic officers in diverse places within the Greater Banjul Area. They are currently under the custody of the agency as investigation into the matter continues.
As rightly stated by the DLEAG spokesman, the agency is working 24 hours to ensure that the country is free from drug and other clandestine activities. This information is not only worrisome, but alarming in the fact that The Gambia is becoming a hub for drug pushers to accomplish their dirty business.
Around 269 million people used drugs in 2018, up 30% from 2009, with adolescents and young adults accounting for the largest share of users. While the increase reflects population growth and other factors – the data nevertheless indicate that illicit drugs are more diverse, more potent and more available.
As parents we have a great to play in preventing our boys and girls against drug abuse. This also reminds us about the importance of awareness of the dangers of drug abuse. There is a need to step-up advocacy through traditional ways and on social media to educate families about drug abuse prevention.
Also, public participation and timely information sharing is vital especially as it relates to reporting suspects.
We all know that narcotic agents can’t be stationed in every street, corner around the country. So it is incumbent on the public to report any suspicious movement in their neighbourhoods by contacting the right authorities on time before it is too late.
Experts believe that organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking are typically also involved in a range of criminal activity, and the profits from illegal drugs are used to fund other forms of criminal operations, including buying illegal firearms and financing terrorism.
We can afford to win this war against drug abuse because there is an inter-link between drug abuse and insecurity. And illicit drug trafficking is fuelling insecurity in many low income countries.
So let’s join hands to make our country a drug free nation.