Drug offenders now risks 15 to 25 years jail term- NDLEA

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd.), has stated that drug offenders now risk 15 to 25 years jail term and life sentences without the fine option.

Marwa disclosed this on Thursday, during the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “Drug producers and traffickers have the money, and when you impose fines, they just pay off the fine and they will be back on the streets. So, the option of fine will no longer apply.

“The jail terms we are looking at is a minimum of 15 years and maximum of 25 and life imprisonment. These are all in the NDLEA Act under revision by the National Assembly.

“There is no guarantee that the jail term will prevent drug offenders from plying their illicit trade. But it is a strong deterrent. If you face 25 years or life in prison and somehow you manage to come out in your old age, it’s difficult to return to that trade.”

He also revealed that the agency had seized N100bn worth of drugs and arrested 9,355 traffickers from January 2021 till now.

Marwa said that the agency’s Act under review at the National Assembly would see the introduction of drug tests before weddings and recruitment into public roles and offices.

He also said all offenders will be punished regardless of social status and the agency would ensure that all jail terms are fully served

Read full article on The Punch.