Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency, the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency NDLEA, has destroyed 1.8 tons of cocaine recovered from a warehouse in Ikorodu area of Lagos Southwest Nigeria.
The NDLEA carried out the task after securing an order from the Federal High Court in Lagos for the public destruction of the consignment.
The Chief Executive of the Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Marwa (Rtd) while leading Stakeholders to witness the crushing and setting ablaze of the illegal substance said, tougher time awaits drug barons and cartels operating in Nigeria if they fail to back out of their criminal trade and embrace legitimate ventures.
General Marwa said; ”the sheer volume of the drug haul, valued at over $200,000, speaks volume about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.”
He said that, ”this has made it imperative for Nigerians to continue to support NDLEA in the renewed war against illicit drugs.”
General Marwa said, “Out of the 1.8-ton seizure, 1, 828 blocks of the cocaine will be crushed and set ablaze while the remnant will be secured for purpose of prosecution of the suspects who were brought to witness the procedure and sign the certificate of destruction.”
According to the NDLEA boss, “the Agency is proceeding with the prosecution of those arrested in connection with this consignment. On this, the public can rest assured that NDLEA shall pursue the trial to a logical conclusion.”
General Marwa said that, since January 25, 2021, when NDLEA commenced offensive action against drug traffickers, the Agency has secured record convictions.
He said; “Presently, 2, 904 drug offenders are serving various jail terms, while other cases are ongoing in court, which we are confident will end in positive results too.”
To the drug underworld, General Marwa said; “the bust of the syndicate responsible for the cocaine warehoused in Ikorodu is a message to drug cartels that their investments in the illicit drug trade will go up in flames as you are about to witness while they also risk losing their freedom because the present NDLEA is committed to arresting, prosecuting and ensuring the conviction of those involved in illicit drugs.
”That is not all, “we now also go after their assets acquired with the proceeds of the criminal trade.”
He said said; ” the fact that the Ikorodu operation was conducted clinically without any skirmish or bloodshed is a further testimony to the evolution of the NDLEA and its new capabilities, and a pointer to the fact that the game has changed in the war against illicit drugs.”
He expressed appreciation to the Agency’s international partners, especially the American Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) that supported the cocaine syndicate bust and the Nigerian military that provided additional firepower during the operation, as well as other law enforcement agencies that have been supporting efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.
While soliciting more support for the Agency’s work, General Marwa said “the safety of our society is the responsibility of every one of us and every citizen shall be fulfilling his or her civic duty by assisting the Agency to clean up our communities and cities by joining our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)” for a secure country.
General Marwa was represented by the Agency’s Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, DCGN Sunday Joseph.
The NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted two days last week, stormed a hidden warehouse at 6 Olukunola street, Solebo estate Ikorodu, suburb of Lagos where 1.8 tons of Cocaine were recovered and five suspects including a Jamaican were arrested.
This is the largest seizure in the Agency’s history
Mercy Chukwudiebere
