‘COCAINE HOPPERS’: THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

Policymakers will learn a thing or two from Jude Oboh’s extensive research on the ‘global cocaine ecosystem’, writes Chukwuemeka Uwanaka

·         As the NDLEA under Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) seems to be achieving high performance outcomes in the arrest of illicit drugs in Nigeria, Jude Royce Oboh, a PhD holder in Criminology from Utrecht University and consultant to the Dutch government, has recently published a well written book on cocaine trafficking and consumption by Nigerians, and in Nigeria. ‘Cocaine Hoppers’ is a culmination of 20 years of extensive research, spanning six countries, by the author, who surprisingly does not have an original background in law enforcement. Oboh however deployed his extensive academic training and original expertise in Agriculture Engineering up to a PhD from the University of Florence, which has seen him work previously at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, to now investigating the intriguing world of the Cocaine industry, and the activities of Nigerians involved.

·         Is it an attempt to stigmatize Nigerians? I don’t think so, especially as the author explains his motivation in the introduction and subsequent nine chapters of the book. The introductory part highlights the objective of the book, which is an explorative attempt at the role of Nigerians in the international trafficking of cocaine in past decades. A deduced objective is also to influence drug control policy, in a manner that reduces the trade and consumption of illicit drugs, and subsequent reduction of negative social and health outcomes. Of particular mention in this part of the book is the methodology. Largely qualitative, it is quite extensive, and draws from data of over 20 years of study, with field work in six countries including, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Brazil and Nigeria. Significant efforts were made to push for objectivity and ensure that findings are reliable and valid.

·         The role of socioeconomic conditions as ‘push factors’ for the fostering of cocaine culture in the country, is the thrust of the second chapter. Declining conditions characterised by unemployment, reduced purchasing power and lack of opportunities, especially from Nigeria’s second republic and the outcomes of the IMF inspired Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the 1980’s, are identified as factors that contributed to Nigerians seeking alternative sources of socioeconomic stability and improvement. A policy approach to resolving this causative factor will however have to grapple with the contradiction of why there is a cocaine culture in countries with very good socioeconomic indices, as well as why similar African countries that implemented the SAP with similar socioeconomic outcomes, do not have cocaine culture as Nigeria.

·         Flowing from the previous chapter, the next chapter of the book had the informal economy mentality, extended family liabilities, disappointed apprentices, patrilineal inheritance culture and culinary food swallowing ability, identified as the main cultural factors that motivate Nigerian cocaine traffickers. Culture as a concept can be somewhat challenging to comprehend, and control. While some argue that you cannot legislate culture, culture however, changes. The lesson for government will be for relevant policies that can moderate or change these cultural factors that motivate cocaine traffickers.

·         The next chapter dwells heavily on the structure and operating framework used by the cocaine traffickers. Drawing evidence from interactions with traffickers, direct observation and assessment of public government activities, the author is able to recreate and demonstrate the processes, procedures and methods successfully used by traffickers. The dynamic and adaptive nature of the modus operandi of traffickers, provides empirical and valid information that should enhance the operations of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and its partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It also highlights the gaps that should be filled in the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021 – 2025, with questions as to how dynamic and structurally effective the NDCMP policy is in effectively and efficiently tackling illicit drug trade and consumption in Nigeria.

·         Chapter five of the book can in some manner, be said to be the stuff that movies are made of. It provides historical details and fillip to what some have head of, but with little literature existing. That is the Brazilian connection to cocaine trafficking in Nigeria. The chapter provides a comprehensive description of the connection between Nigeria and Brazil, as well as with regard to cocaine trafficking. From root sources in American countries such as Bolivia, to the role of law enforcement agents and other agents in the trafficking supply chain, the details of this part of the book provides information that should influence bilateral relations between Nigeria and Brazil, and for what will be foreign policy level interactions that address this challenge. That way, policies designed to promote trade, investment and human relations are not abused by traffickers.

·         An extensive analysis of how the intersection of trading patterns, consumption habits and rising income in China, the world’s second largest economy and most populous country, is the focus of the book’s sixth chapter. This analytical attempt throws more light on how migratory patterns and the desire for international economic expansion by Chinese businesses, led to the expansion of bilateral trade between Nigeria and China, but also illegal migration and drug trafficking. While some immigration control policy was adopted by the Chinese government, this chapter highlighted an innovative form of diaspora people-led diplomatic policy response, that proved effective. The central role of Emmanuel Osita Ojukwu, who was elected as President of the Nigerian community in the commercial city of Guangzhou, is worthy of mention. The Ojukwu-led executive committee was able to harness the Nigerian cultural norms, and partner with the Chinese authorities to successfully reduce crimes committed by Nigerians, including drug trafficking. This partnership included a signed ‘Amnesty Agreement’ with local Chinese authorities, and provides policy lessons for that Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, may want to adopt in managing Nigeria’s diaspora challenges. The NDLEA can also draw policy lessons from this diaspora approach.

·         The seventh chapter is an effort at explaining the roles and involvement of the United States, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia in the international drugs trade. With detailed data and empirical analysis, this chapter provides details that throws more light on the role of these countries and region in the trade of illicit drugs. Policymakers from Nigeria can gain more comprehensive understanding of the ‘global cocaine ecosystem’, which should support the development and implementation of more effective and efficient drug control policies. The NDCMP 2021 -2025 is up for review in two years, and work should have commenced on it.

·         The penultimate chapter dwells on the policy approaches that have been adopted by governments of other countries, against international cocaine hoppers who operate in Brazil, Nigeria, China and Indonesia. The author attempts to influence drug policy in Nigeria, by explaining with data, some of the reforms across the globe that are designed to not only decrease the trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs, but also reduce related crimes and health issues. A case is further made in the chapter for drug legalization through legislation, with data on the positive socioeconomic benefits from drug legislation, rather than continuous attempts at prohibition.

·         The final chapter of the book summarizes and draws conclusions, while attempting to ensure that the primary research questions that motivated the research for the book, are answered. The questions touch on the role of Nigeria and Nigerians in international cocaine trade, mechanisms for Nigerians’ success in the global trade of cocaine, the role that Nigerians in Brazil play in the global cocaine trade, and an explanation of their involvement. While highlighting the ineffectiveness of drug prohibition policies, he provides socioeconomic data from other countries, to support regulation and legislation, as a better policy approach to addressing illicit drug trade and consumption in Nigeria. If the conservative policy approach of prohibition to illicit drug trade in Nigeria is going to stand a chance of being reviewed to regulation and legislation, perhaps the research findings from this book will/could be one of the main contributory factors to a change in policy. We look out for the NDCMP 2026 – 2030.

·         Dr Uwanaka is of the Department of Public Policy, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja  

·