NDLEA Seizes 750 Tons of Illegal Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized at least 750 tons of illicit drugs over the past three years, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammed Marwa (retd.).

Marwa made this announcement on Wednesday during the inauguration of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, a facility constructed and donated by the British government.

He noted that the agency’s collaboration with other maritime law enforcement agencies has led to a significant increase in drug seizures and arrests, resulting in the capture of 41 suspects, 15 of whom have already been prosecuted and imprisoned.

“We upgraded the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command in 2022, and since then, our record of arrests and drug seizures in the maritime domain has shown an upward trend,” Marwa said.

He added that various port operations have resulted in the seizure of a range of illicit drugs, including cocaine, codeine, tramadol, methamphetamine, and Loud.

The chairman highlighted the increasing complexity of maritime drug trafficking, pointing out that traffickers are now using personal vessels such as luxury yachts, modified pump boats, and fishing trawlers to smuggle narcotics.

He called for ongoing collaboration among security agencies to tackle this growing threat, which is also linked to organized crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.

British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, who attended the event, expressed the UK’s support for the NDLEA’s initiatives, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, praised the agency’s efforts in safeguarding citizens and enhancing security.

The NDLEA also cited data from the United Nations indicating that West Africa remains a major transit region for narcotics, with traffickers often exploiting maritime routes.