Webinar
October 7, 2026
Across Africa, law enforcement officers have detected, intercepted and dismantled numerous drug laboratories, many of which were used for the mass production of methamphetamine drugs also known as meth, or crystal meth. Individuals linked to Mexican drug cartels were arrested in nearly all these operations, signalling a new trend in illicit drug trade linking the North America and African continents. This webinar, co-organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies (ISS) will explore the dynamics of this illicit trade. Speakers will share empirical evidence on the drivers, routes, and patterns of the criminal markets for drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, and others) as well as the nature of state responses and the implications for trans-Atlantic cooperation.
From this webinar, speakers will discuss:
- Empirical evidence on the state of the illicit drug trade between North America and Africa, highlighting evidence-based findings about the criminal actors and markets involved, and their modus operandi.
- Avenues for cross-Atlantic cooperation between North American and African governments, and other stakeholders in addressing the threat posed by illicit drug trade affecting both regions.
- Ongoing responses that are working to disrupt these illicit drug markets including their sources, drivers, routes and patterns, and deter criminal actors including drug cartels and their activities inside and outside of their countries.
Moderated by:
- Dr. Catherine Kelly and Mr. Martin Ewi
Panelists:
- Ms. Wendy Williams
- Colonel Ze-ev Krein
- Mr. Patrick Phillips
- Captain (Retired) Pedro Santana
- Dr. Oluwole Ojewale
Biographies
Ms. Wendy Williams is an Associate Research Fellow at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, whose research focuses on forced displacement and migration, violent extremist organizations, illicit financial flows, international human rights and humanitarian law, military professionalism, and the rule of law. Before joining the Africa Center, Ms. Williams worked at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP, as an attorney in its Global Securities Group, counseling international investors on public and private capital markets, negotiating legal agreements with U.S. and foreign entities, and conducting research on rules and regulations regarding capital market transactions.
At the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, she served as a policy advisor on population movements, including conducting and publishing a survey of migration flows and its causes and impacts within Europe and Central Asia. She also provided situational analysis for the organization’s West Africa region.
Ms. Williams received a B.A. from Columbia College at Columbia University in New York and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Colonel Ze-ev Krein is the Commander of the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/HAWKS) of the South African Police Service. Colonel Krein provides strategic leadership for South Africa’s response to narcotics trafficking, transnational organized crime, and related security threats, coordinating drug matters at both the national and transnational levels. He directs complex national and cross-border investigations involving drug trafficking networks, synthetic drugs, clandestine laboratories, precursor chemicals, illicit financial flows, and related organized criminal activity. His current responsibilities also include legislative inputs, scientific guidance in forensic, analytical, and medicinal chemistry, national drug data collection and reporting, and implementation of advanced technologies to strengthen counternarcotics operations.
He previously served as the Commander of the Commercial, Financial, and Cyber Crime Unit in SAPS Crime Intelligence and as the Commander of the Materials Analysis Section at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, where he also served as an expert witness in numerous high-profile cases.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in Information Systems, Chemistry, and Law and a master’s degree in Medicinal Organic Chemistry.
Mr. Pat Phillips is a Maritime Program Analyst for U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) in the Law Enforcement at Sea Branch, where he provides direction, leadership, and management to AFRICOM’s Strategy, Policy and Plans on Maritime Security issues on the Africa Continent, with a specific focus on Counter Narcotics.
Previously Mr. Phillips served over 20 years as an Intelligence Analyst (Warrant Officer) in the U.S. Navy. His post Navy career has been focused on countering Transnational Organized Crime, serving as an Intelligence Analyst with the National Security Agency from 2011 – 2018 and as a Counter Narcotics Planner at U.S. Northern Command (U.S. NORTHCOM) from 2018 – 2021. Prior to his assignment at U.S. AFRICOM, Mr. Phillips served as the Senior Counter Drug Analyst with the U.S. Coast Guard at the Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center – Atlantic.
Mr. Phillips earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Bellevue University and is a distinguished graduate of the National Security Agency’s Middle Enlisted Career Advancement Program. Additionally, he holds several Cyber security related certifications and is a qualified Target Digital Network Analyst.
Captain (Retired) Pedro Querido Teixeira Santana is a senior maritime security and naval affairs expert with over 32 years of distinguished service in the Armed Forces of Cabo Verde, culminating in his appointment as Commander of the Cape Verde Coast Guard. Throughout his military career, he commanded offshore patrol vessels, directed the Maritime Operations Center (COSMAR), and spearheaded national inter-agency maritime law enforcement. Captain Santana has extensive operational experience in counter-narcotics and maritime interdiction, having closely coordinated Atlantic operations alongside national agencies, regional frameworks (SRFC/CSRP and PESCAO), and international partners including MAOC-N, the U.S. Navy, and European navies.
He holds a degree in Naval Military Sciences from the Portuguese Naval Academy and advanced qualifications in EEZ governance, maritime search and rescue, and fisheries surveillance.
Dr. Oluwole Ojewale is a Senior Researcher for the Central Africa Observatory project, based in Dakar. Before joining ISS, Oluwole was the head of research and strategy development department at CLEEN Foundation in Abuja. He led extensive research engagements on policing, accountable governance for justice and security, human rights, preventing and countering violent extremism, civil-military relations, human trafficking, and election security threat assessments. Oluwole recently completed his PhD at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.