Most Car Dealers Import Drugs, hard substances into Nigeria, Says NDLEA Chairman, Marwa

The first-ever forum for Auto CEOs and government agencies was in Abuja yesterday. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was present at this forum. During the program, NDLEA pointed out that most car dealers now import hard substances into Nigeria.

Addressing this maiden Auto CEO Forum, sponsored by GSCL Transport Media Group, the NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said tons of Colorado had been discovered in the last three years.

He pointed out that the automotive sector remains a crucial focus in the war against drug abuse, adding that collaboration is required to sanitise the sector.

Represented by a controller, Samuel Bashir Gadzama, the chairman observed that most of the drugs imported come via vehicles from Canada.

Noting that this trend was discovered in 2020 during the lockdown is worrisome, Marwa said some players in the automotive industry were using the business as a cover to achieve their nefarious objectives.

In his words: “ We are focusing on them. We have had cases where we closed down some automotive shops. There are cases where we have to investigate some individuals.

“We are not after duty. We have two concerns. We are either looking for drugs or proceeds.”

The Chairman said the agency had no direct business with the automotive sector apart from addressing drug-related issues, adding that “players need to support the campaign against drugs and understand related laws that may affect their operations.”

Speaking at the event, the representative of the organisers, Frank Kintum, admitted that Nigeria was going through a difficult phase economically, stating that the automotive industry was one of the worst hit.

“In the last few years, many auto assembly plants registered by the Federal Government to rejuvenate the nation’s economy a few years ago have closed down, while the few still struggling have been forced to downsize workers,” he added.