N194b Worth Of Cocaine Recovered In Lagos Warehouse Set Ablaze By NDLEA
1.8
tons of cocaine were recovered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The
cocaine destroyed was recovered by the personnel of the NDLEA from a warehouse in
the Ikorodu Area of Lagos.
Femi
Babafemi the spokesperson of the agency in a statement said that tougher times
await drug barons and cartels' operations within Nigeria If they refuse to back
out of their criminal trade and embrace legitimate ventures.
He said that the Chairman of NDLEA Brig. Gen
Mohamed Buna Marwa gave this assurance on the 27th of September 2022.
This was while he was leading stakeholders to witness the crushing and setting
ablaze of 1.8 tons of cocaine that was recovered by the agency from a warehouse
in Ikorodu.
In the
well-coordinated intelligence operation by the NDLEA that last for two days,
the agency stormed the hidden warehouse at no 6 Olukunola street selebo estate
Okorodu. In the operation, 1.8 tons of cocaine were recovered and five suspects
which include a Jamaican were arrested.
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This seizure is the largest in the agency`s
history. Following this historical seizure, an order from the federal high
court in Lagos was obtained for the public destruction of the consignment.
General Marwa was represented at the venue by
the Agency`s director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Deputy Commander General
of Narcotics DCGN Sunday Joseph while speaking at the venue of the destruction
in Badagry Lagos stated that the sheer volume of the drug haul in street volume
would amount to two hundred and seventy-eight million two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. This seizure speaks volumes about the extent of the nefarious
activities of the drug underworld.
According
to him, this seizure has made it more important for Nigeria to continue its
unwearying support to the NDLEA in its renewed war against illicit drugs.
He added that of the 1.8-ton seizure, 1,828
blocks of the cocaine will be crushed and set ablaze while the remnants will be
secured for the prosecution of suspects who were brought to witness the
procedure and also to sight the certificate of destruction.
The agency is moving ahead with the
prosecution of those arrested in connection with the illicit drug the NDLEA
boss added.
"On
this, the public can rest assured that NDLEA shall pursue the trial to a
logical conclusion. Since January 25, 2021, when we commenced our offensive
action against drug traffickers, the Agency has secured record convictions.
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," he said.
He sent a strong message to the drug
underworld stating that their investments in the illicit drug trade will go up
in flames. He added that they also risk losing their freedom because the
present NDLEA is commited to arresting, prosecuting, and convicting those
involved in the illicit drug trade. It does not end there, the NDLEA will go
after the assets acquired with the proceeds from the criminal trade.
Marwa noted that the fact that the Ikorodu
Operation was conducted clinically without any skirmish or bloodshed is further
testimony to the evolution of the NDLEA and its new capabilities.
He used the opportunity to express the
agency`s deepest appreciation to its international partners especially the
American Drug Law Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) which provided support
for the cocaine syndicate burst and also the Nigerian Military for providing
additional firepower during the operation. He also commended other law enforcement
agencies for their efforts to rid Nigerian of Illicit drugs.
Marwa
said the fact that the Ikorodu operation was conducted clinically without any
skirmish or bloodshed is 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 adding that with the collective effort we can
make this country secure.
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