Countering the drug threat to Seychelles |09 November 2016

Drug enforcement agencies in the Indian Ocean region, including our local NDEA, met in Colombo recently to discuss a concerted approach to combatting the growth in drug trafficking in the region.  

The conference was attended by representatives from 18 states of the Indian Ocean region, which included seven ministers and deputy ministers of interior/home affairs, while other states were represented by special envoys and senior officials.

Seven international organisations/partner agencies and UN agencies engaged in counter narcotics initiatives in the region also attended the conference.

Delegates discussed the need to develop a regional approach and cooperation to combat the growth in drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean region.

During the high level meeting a conference paper was presented, whereby the threat posed to Indian Ocean states by drug trafficking was assessed.

All of the countries represented at the conference are experiencing serious issues resulting from the importation and distribution of drugs into their respective countries. Recent UNODC reports indicate that in one Asian country alone, more than 200,000 hectares is under poppy cultivation. In the past four years ships from the Combined Maritime Forces that are operating in the Indian Ocean to counter this traffic, have seized an estimated 9,300kg of high purity drugs. This however is only a fraction of what is produced.

The NDEA (National Drugs Enforcement Agency) has, since its inception, seized more than US $25,000 million worth of drugs and this year alone has seized drugs with a street value of R356.9 million.

Each year the agency arrests approximately 1,000 individuals and carries out some 8,000 stop and searches. These include searches of individuals, houses and lands. Active patrols prevent the drug dealers from freely carrying out their operations.

The NDEA, using established intelligence networks based in several Indian Ocean states, is currently partnering with the Seychelles Coastguard (SCG) in the fight against the importation of illegal drugs. This year the combined efforts of both agencies, working together on intelligence based operations, has succeeded in recovering 98.5kg of illegal drugs, with a street value of some R356.9 million, brought the perpetrators to court and seized their boat.

Drug traffickers plying their trade in the South Indian Ocean have targeted the Seychelles waters in their attempts to avoid being detected on previously used routes off the east coast of Africa.

“Several unsuccessful attempts have been made on the new routes to enter the Seychelles waters. We are satisfied, based on our intelligence, that the combined efforts of the SCG and the NDEA have successfully prevented these attempts by Asian based traffickers to bring drugs into Seychelles. In this regard several of those involved in two of these operations are currently before the courts,” notes the NDEA in a communiqué.

Challenges facing drug enforcement agencies

Law enforcement is bound by strict rules of law, evidence, powers and procedures, that by their nature limits its effectiveness. The NDEA operates strictly within the law. It is not sufficient just to label someone a drug dealer based on their lifestyle or possessions. Legally obtained evidence is a perquisite in every case brought before the court. Evidence adduced in drug trials is analytically tested and forensically examined before the court will accept what is submitted in support of a prosecution.

Outcomes

The NDEA is aware of the identity of virtually all of those involved in the illegal drug trade. All of the drug dealing groups in the country are under active investigation in one way or another and several of their members are either in prison, have had their assets seized, are awaiting trial or having their cases processed.

Business

The business of drug trafficking is both risky and lucrative, and one that traffickers, despite the enormous risks involved to themselves, are prepared to take. The principal driver of the drug trade is undoubtedly due to a strong demand from among sectors of the general population, combined with an endless source of supply in production emanating from oversees.

Effectiveness

The NDEA has an enviable record of seizing drugs and bringing offenders before the courts, as evidence in the various communiqués issued during the year testifies. Assertions that the NDEA is not effective are wide off the mark. Currently the agency is processing over 900 cases that are in various stages of the prosecution and legal process. These include processing through the forensic science laboratory, the Attorney General’s office and ultimately the court.

Drug addiction is not confined to any particular group, class, creed or colour, and the NDEA does not profile any of those arrested, or searched or detained into any of the above categories.

Statistics provided in recent times by the NDEA confirm the agency’s effectiveness in the supply reduction aspect of dealing with the problem, by seizing drugs on the high seas and elsewhere on land. The agency has proved that it has the capacity to carry out major investigations and to bring those responsible to justice.

Defining the problem

Supply reduction is just one facet of the drug problem and many of these were considered in the 2016 Misuse of Drugs Act. Others include the requirement to treat addiction that will allow addicts to recover, to provide rehabilitation that will facilitate and educate on the dangers that drug abuse causes to health and social order, and to reduce the demand for drugs by education among the youth. There is a very determined effort at all levels to ensure the delivery of all these services. The new Act also provides legislative provision to facilitate and ensure the delivery of these services to the public.

Scale of the problem

Every country in the world is struggling to deal with the drug situation. This fact was evidenced at the recent seminar in Colombo where all the delegations outlined the difficulties faced in their respective jurisdictions, not just by drug enforcement agencies, but also by several societal organisations in trying to cope with the many and varied aspects of the problem. It has been adequately proved throughout the world that enforcement is just one aspect of the problem that requires to be addressed to bring the matter under control.

The NDEA is fully committed, and is taking the lead as part of the national effort, to deal with supply and demand and drug addiction. The first steps for all who are interested in addressing the issues surrounding drug addiction is to recognise its complexity, and of the necessity for the active involvement of the various agencies and bodies, who are in a position to deliver the services required to address the problem.