KUDOS, NACOB (JUNE 26, 2009)

THE Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has made a major breakthrough in its fight against the illicit drug trade with the arrest of a Costa Rican businessman described as a baron in the drug ring in West Africa and South Africa.
William Zabieh, 49, is said to be the mastermind of the major narcotic landings in Togo, Guinea, South Africa and Ghana over the past seven years.
Ghanaians have been alarmed by the fact that the country has become a key transit point for the drug trade in the sub-region.
The rate at which drug barons, including their Ghanaian allies, were involved in the drug trade was gradually turning the country into a major consumption country.
Consequently, the image of Ghana was eroded in international circles because of the arrest of some notable Ghanaians for their involvement in the drug trade.
Due to the lucrative nature of the business, the operators are able to infiltrate sensitive organs of state, such as the security agencies, the Judiciary and even the ranks of politicians.
The drug trade has the potential to destroy the fabric of society, including institutions of state such as political parties, to such an extent that the drug barons become untouchables in society.
The NDC government, realising the danger that the drug trade poses to society, on assumption of office pledged to make Ghana an uncomfortable destination for drug barons.
Recent reports indicate that drug barons have decided not to use the Kotoka International Airport because of the tight security measures instituted there. There have also not been any reports of the arrest of drug couriers from other countries at the airport since March this year.
The arrest of the Costa Rican businessman and his subsequent extradition to the United States of America (USA) to face charges indicate that the fight against the drug trade can make the desired impact through international collaboration.
Over the years, Ghana has sought support from the international community to fight the drug trade. Notable among this is "Operation Westbridge", through which the United Kingdom has provided support for NACOB to fight the drug trade. The US government has also provided operational support for Ghana and established an office of its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) here.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks that we need to step up such collaboration with our donor partners and countries in the sub-region to tighten the noose around the necks of the drug barons.
We must commend NACOB, the National Security, the governments of Ghana and Togo, as well as the USA’s DEA, for the collaboration that led to the arrest and extradition of the Costa Rican businessman.
The drug business has become a cartel or ring which cannot be broken by the security apparatus in any single country.
We urge the security agencies to intensify their activities following the arrest of the Costa Rican because Zabieh would not have used the Kotoka International Airport if he had no local agents or collaborators.
The DAILY GRAPHIC urges Ghanaians to support NACOB and other security agencies in their resolve to break the back of these notorious drug couriers whose activities, if unchecked, will destroy our society, particularly the youth.
We think the efforts so far will send the right signals to the barons that they will not be tolerated in Ghana.