Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has undertaken a benchmark visit to Ghana to study the country’s approach to combating drug trafficking, money laundering and organised crime.
The delegation is engaging the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as part of efforts to exchange operational knowledge and strengthen institutional cooperation.
At NACOC, officials briefed the delegation on Ghana’s controls over precursor chemicals and psychotropic substances, drug demand reduction strategies and the use of canine units in drug detection and interdiction operations.
The discussions also covered measures to prevent chemicals and other controlled substances from being diverted for illicit drug production, alongside preventive and rehabilitative interventions for people with substance use disorders.
The delegation’s visit to the FIC focused on Ghana’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework, financial intelligence gathering and the detection of suspicious transactions linked to organised crime.
At EOCO, the Zambian officials received briefings on financial investigations, asset tracing and recovery, as well as the investigation and prosecution of economic and organised crimes, including offences connected to drug trafficking.
The engagements highlight the link between drug trafficking and the financial networks used to move and conceal proceeds from illicit activities.
The visit is expected to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Zambia and provide an opportunity for both countries to share expertise in tackling transnational drug-related crimes.
