NDLEA, Security Agencies Begin Three-Day Training to Strengthen Fight Against Drug Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced a three-day capacity-building training for personnel from various security institutions aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and improving operational effectiveness in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Sierra Leone.
The training brings together personnel from the NDLEA, Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Office of National Security (ONS), Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), Central Intelligence and Security Agency (CISSA), as well as NDLEA volunteers and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, National Security Coordinator, Abdulai Caulker, said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to address the country’s growing drug menace following assessments that prompted President Julius Maada Bio to establish a special security task force against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He said the task force, established under the Ministry of Health and led by Dr. Austin Demby, brought together several security and law enforcement institutions to coordinate the national response to drug-related crimes.
Mr. Caulker emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, surveillance and proper operational planning, warning that uncoordinated responses to drug-related incidents could undermine enforcement efforts.
He noted that reports of suspected drug activities often triggered disorderly responses, with multiple security personnel and civilians converging on locations without adequate coordination.
According to him, effective operations must be intelligence-led, involving proper surveillance, monitoring and verification before enforcement teams are deployed.
He further stressed that inter-agency collaboration, mutual trust and respect for established command structures were essential to successful operations, noting that every participating institution must understand its responsibilities and work under the designated lead agency.
Mr. Caulker urged participants to actively engage in the training, ask questions and take advantage of the practical sessions, particularly the simulation exercise scheduled for the final day, to demonstrate their understanding of the operational procedures.
He commended the NDLEA leadership for introducing the capacity-building initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the country’s collective response to illicit drugs, which he said continued to threaten the future of young people.
In his welcome remarks, NDLEA Executive Director, Prince Bull Luseni, said the training was organised to equip security personnel with the knowledge and skills required to conduct coordinated and effective operations against drug abuse and trafficking.
Mr. Luseni acknowledged President Bio’s role in establishing the special security unit against substance abuse and illicit trafficking, while expressing appreciation to the Office of National Security for providing the venue and supporting the exercise.
He described capacity building and collaboration as the central objectives of the three-day programme, emphasising that effective law enforcement required clear operational responsibilities and coordination among participating institutions.
He cautioned that the training was not a recruitment or employment exercise but a platform for sharing knowledge and preparing personnel for their respective roles in the national drug enforcement response.
Drawing lessons from Sierra Leone’s Ebola outbreak, Mr. Luseni urged citizens and security personnel not to wait until drug abuse directly affects their families before taking the menace seriously.
He encouraged participants to remain attentive throughout the sessions and actively engage with facilitators to ensure they acquire practical knowledge that could be applied in the field.
The NDLEA Executive Director also disclosed that the programme would conclude with a simulation exercise to test participants’ understanding of the lessons delivered, adding that certificates would be awarded to those who complete the training.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the government and security institutions to strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination and intensify the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse across Sierra Leone.