By IBIRONKE ARIYO

Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa have called for the setting up of specialised courts to try drug cases and organised crimes in the continent.

This was part of the recommendations adopted at the end of their 31^stmeeting, which ended in Abuja.

A statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Saturday said the officials also adopted other recommendations to curb drug use and Illicit trafficking in the continent.

“Governments should consider the establishment of national specialised courts and asset recovery offices dealing with organised crime and money laundering and supporting tracing, recovering and management of proceeds of crime.

“Governments are encouraged to make effective and full use of existing informal regional and international cooperation instruments.

“This is aiming at facilitating investigations and prosecuting organised crime including drug crimes and related money-laundering,

“This is including West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of West Africa (ARINWA) as well as the UNODC CRIMJUST programme.”

They also urged governments in Africa to promote cooperation and the sharing of best practices in the confiscation of proceeds of crime, including drug-related cases.

The anti-narcotic chiefs advised governments to provide adequate legal and regulatory frameworks on virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, to prevent and combat their use for drug-related crimes and money-laundering.

Other recommendations adopted by the group during the annual meeting include asking African governments to develop and implement drug policy responses.

“This will address, indirectly or directly, the environmental impact of illicit crop cultivation, drug manufacture and drug use, taking into consideration positive and negative effects.

“Governments are encouraged to empower indigenous people, youth groups and local communities to protect the land, forest reserves and water sources in their areas, making the best of local knowledge, in line with local interests and needs.

“To address the challenge of limited data, countries are encouraged to promote research and monitoring systems to collect data and establish baselines on environmental impact, which will allow for evidence-based interventions and impact assessment,” they added.

The continent’s drug czars encouraged governments in the continent to strengthen capacity to safely dispose seized drugs, chemicals and the precursors and drug waste, utilising guidance available from relevant national organizations as well as UNODC.

They agreed to increase domestic collaboration between law enforcement agencies and other relevant national agencies, such as the ministries of environment and agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has charged them to implement agreements reached during the conference.

Akume gave the advice during a gala night and dinner organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The SGF was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Dr Maurice Mbaeri.

“Nigeria looks forward to a fruitful result of the various deliberations of the past few days, particularly in areas of joint operations and regional cooperation. (NAN)