INCB GRIDS Regional Twinning Mission to Strengthen Cooperation in Tackling Online
Trafficking of Dangerous Substances in West Africa
Accra, Ghana, 11-12 September 2025
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), through its Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme, held a two-day regional twinning mission hosted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana with the participation of Nigerian authorities and major private internet service providers. The event focused on preventing the misuse of legitimate online services for trafficking new psychoactive substances and non-medical synthetic opioids.
Sixteen participants from Ghana and Nigeria took part, including representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Police Force Cyber Security Unit and AIRTEL. Ghana was represented by NACOC, the Cybercrime Unit & Child Protection, and Digital Forensic Laboratory, as well as Telecel, MTN, Jumia, DrugNet, and the Cyber Security Authority.
The mission responded to the growing exploitation of e-commerce platforms, social media and shipping services by traffickers. While these channels are vital to trade and communication, they pose increasing risks if not adequately protected. The twinning mission aimed to strengthen public-private cooperation, support cross-border collaboration and enhance national capacities.
Participants received presentations on the INCB-GRIDS Programme and its tools, including the newly launched SNOOP (Scanning Novel Opioids on Online Platforms) platform, and examined national and regional trafficking trends, regulatory measures and good practices. Experience-sharing sessions highlighted complex cases and voluntary collaboration models, while technical meetings with internet-related service providers deepened understanding of operational realities and enforcement challenges.
Strategic meetings between the two countries' anti-drug units and with the Regional Technical Officer reviewed information-sharing mechanisms and ways to enhance collaboration with the GRIDS Programme. Participants emphasized the importance of modern investigative tools, big data analytics, updated legal frameworks, and formal partnerships with online service providers to enhance detection and response to the online illicit trafficking of dangerous substances.
This mission provided a valuable platform for Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities and private partners to enhance their capacity to prevent the misuse of online services and laid the foundation for stronger regional cooperation to tackle online trafficking of dangerous substances in West Africa.
The Board's
Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme operates under the International Narcotics Control Board's unique Article 35 (1961) treaty mandate that supports Governments' capabilities to exchange information on trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, synthetic opioids, fentanyls and related chemicals, by providing real-time communication, and capabilities to facilitate information exchange and intelligence development with the aim to interdict distribution of dangerous substances.
This event was made possible through generous support from the Government of the United States.
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here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
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here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
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