Drug Trafficking in Lake Chad: UNODC Reveals $400 Billion Annual Revenue

UNODC Official: Lake Chad’s Drug Trade Worth $400 Billion Yearly

Ousmane Touré, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative for Nigeria, has reported that drug trafficking generates approximately $400 billion annually for criminal networks operating in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions. This substantial illicit income fuels various criminal activities, including arms smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering.

Touré highlighted that these criminal organizations are diversifying their operations, creating complex value chains that intertwine the drug trade with other forms of transnational organized crime. He also noted the intersection of natural resource exploitation, such as gold mining, with drug trafficking in conflict zones.

Addressing these challenges, Touré emphasized the need for increased investment in research to establish clear evidence linking drug trafficking to terrorism. He called for enhanced regional cooperation, stronger border control measures, and institutional reforms to combat corruption within law enforcement agencies. Additionally, he stressed the importance of preventive measures to address the vulnerability of youth and women to drug abuse in the region.