NDLEA sets fire to N194b of cocaine recovered from Lagos warehouse

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) destroyed 1.8 tons of cocaine restored by its staff from a warehouse in the Ikorodu district of Lagos.

The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that tougher times await drug lords and cartels operating in Nigeria if they do not renounce their criminal business and engage in crimes. legitimate businesses.

He said NDLEA President, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa, gave the assurance on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 while leading stakeholders to witness the crushing and burning of 1.8 tonnes of cocaine recovered by the Agency from a warehouse in the neighborhood from Ikorodu to Lagos last week.

The NDLEA had, in a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation that lasted two days last week, stormed a hidden warehouse at 6 Olukunola Street, Solebo Ikorodu Estate where 1.8 tons of cocaine were recovered and five suspects including a Jamaican were arrested.

Following the historic seizure, which is the largest in the Agency’s history, an order was obtained from the Federal High Court in Lagos for the public destruction of the consignment.

Speaking at the scene of the public destruction in the Badagry neighborhood of Lagos on Tuesday, General Marwa, who was represented by the Director of Agencies, Prosecutions and Legal Services, Deputy Commanding General Narcotics, DCGN Sunday Joseph, stated that the huge volume of drug trafficking, with an estimated market value of two hundred and seventy-eight million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($278,250,000), or the equivalent of one hundred and ninety-four billion seven hundred and seventy five million (N194,775,000,000) naira, speaks volume on the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.

He said this made it imperative for Nigerians to continue to support the NDLEA in the renewed war on illicit drugs.

He said of the 1.8 tonne seizure, 1,828 blocks of cocaine will be crushed and set on fire while the rest will be secured for prosecution against the suspects who were brought in to witness the proceedings and sign the certificate of destruction.

According to the head of the NDLEA, the Agency is proceeding with the prosecution of those arrested in connection with this expedition.

“On this point, the public can be assured that the NDLEA will pursue the lawsuit to a logical conclusion. Since January 25, 2021, when we launched our offensive action against drug traffickers, the Agency has obtained record convictions. Currently, 2,904 drug offenders are serving various prison sentences, while other cases are pending before the courts, which we are confident will also lead to positive results,” he said. .

For the drug underworld, he said the bust of the syndicate responsible for the cocaine stored in Ikorodu is a message to the drug cartels that their investments in the illicit drug trade will ignite as you are about to see it when they also risk losing their freedom because the current NDLEA is committed to arresting, prosecuting and ensuring the conviction of those involved in illicit drugs. That’s not all, we are now also attacking their assets acquired with the proceeds of criminal trade.

Marwa said the fact that the Ikorodu operation was carried out clinically without any skirmishes or bloodshed is further testament to the evolution of the NDLEA and its new capabilities, and an indicator that the game has changed in the war on illicit drugs.

He expressed his gratitude to the Agency’s international partners, particularly the American Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) who supported the cocaine syndicate bust and the Nigerian military who provided additional firepower during the operation, as well as other law enforcement agencies that supported the effort. rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.

While seeking more support for the work of the Agency, Marwa said the safety of our society is the responsibility of each and every one of us and that every citizen must fulfill their civic duty by helping the Agency clean up our communities. and our cities by joining our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), adding that together we can make this country safe.”