The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that the federal government is taking steps to abolish the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers.
In an interview on Monday monitored by The News Chronicle, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the option of allowing convicted traffickers to pay fines instead of serving prison terms remains a major setback in the country’s anti-drug campaign.
He disclosed that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is championing an executive bill to amend the NDLEA Act and eliminate the fine option for convicted drug traffickers.
According to him, once the National Assembly passes the amendment, convicted traffickers will face mandatory prison sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years, with no option of paying fines.
“There is an executive bill that will soon get to the National Assembly to amend the law so that there will be no option of a fine.
“When the law is amended, there will likely be a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 25 years in prison, so anyone arrested for drug trafficking will know they are going to jail and will lose everything,” Babafemi said.
He explained that the proposed amendment is intended to ensure convicted traffickers serve prison terms rather than pay fines and return to the illicit drug trade.
Babafemi described the global drug menace as a “hydra-headed monster” but said the NDLEA has remained relentless in its campaign against traffickers, recording significant successes through sustained enforcement operations.
According to him, the agency’s crackdown has reduced the availability of illicit drugs across the country, leading to shortages and a sharp increase in street prices.
He added that Nigeria has become increasingly hostile to drug traffickers, forcing many of them to relocate to other countries to evade arrest.
