An investigation carried out by Shipping Position Daily has revealed that drug seizures at the two seaports in Lagos in first half of 2023 reduced by about 95%, compared to the seizures made during the same period in 2022.
Additionally, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported that no fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested so far this year at both Apapa and Tin Can ports.
This comes even as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency last weekend announced the interception of over 64, 863.5 kilogramme consignments of the gaseous substance, popularly called “Laughing Gas”, at the Apapa port.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said that the seizures came barely 24 hours after the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa “directed all commands and formations of the agency to begin an immediate clampdown on the illegal sale and use of the Nitrous Oxide’’.
He added that, “the importer of the consignment, 30-year-old Stephen Eze and his agent, Michael Chukwuma were thereafter arrested and detained for further investigation’’.
However, statistics gathered by our correspondent revealed that a total of 7490.7kg of hard drugs were seized in the first half of 2022, whereas in 2023, only 351.464kg were seized, indicating a drastic drop of 95.34%.
Ironically, the number of arrests in connection with drug cases in the ports increased by 30%, with the agency recording 13 arrests in the first half of this year compared to 10 in the first half of 2022.
The statistics further revealed that the NDLEA made a total seizure of 5171.5 seizures of tramadol in the first half of 2022, but this number reduced significantly to 0.01 in the first half of 2023. Similarly, a total of 2303.2kg of cannabis were seized in the same period of 2022, which decreased to 348.955kg in 2023.
While there were no arrests or seizures made for cocaine in the period under review in 2022, the agency recorded a 1.02% increase in 2023.
Regarding codeine cough syrup, the agency seized 16kg in the period under review last year, but no seizures were made in the same period this year.
Although the value of the total drug seizures made so far remains unknown, the NDLEA Commandant of the Tin Can Island Command, Mohammed Aminu Abubakar, stated that the street value of the total drugs seized at the command this year exceeds N2.17 billion. He noted that the command recorded the arrest of nine containers and seven suspects.
Efforts to determine the value of the seizures made at the Apapa port command proved abortive, as messages and calls sent to the command Public Relations Officer were not responded to at the time of press.
Calls made to the Director of Media and Advocacy; Mr Femi Babafemi, regarding the value of drug seizures this year also went unanswered, although he provided the volume of drugs seizures made.
In response to the drastic drop in drug seizures at the seaports this year, Babafemi stated that the decline is due to the investigative efforts and enhanced security measures implemented by the NDLEA. He mentioned that the agency has been actively collaborating with various law enforcement agencies and utilizing advanced technology to combat drug trafficking.
He further emphasized that the significant decline in drug seizures reflects the agency’s success in disrupting drug smuggling networks and deterring drug-related activities at the seaports. He added that the intensified efforts have led to increased scrutiny of shipments, stricter inspections, and enhanced surveillance techniques, making it increasingly difficult for drug traffickers to go unnoticed.
Furthermore, he attributed the higher number of arrests in the first half of 2023 to the NDLEA’s intelligence gathering and targeted operations. He noted that the agency has been working closely with international partners and utilizing sophisticated tracking systems to identify and apprehend suspects involved in drug trafficking.
In a conversation with our correspondent, a clearing agent who requested anonymity expressed concerns about the overall decline in seizures of hard drugs such as tramadol and cannabis. However, the anonymous clearing agent noted a concerning increase in the seizure of cocaine.
This particular drug has elicited alarm as its increased presence in the seaports suggests the emergence of new smuggling routes and tactics.
The clearing agent urged the NDLEA to intensify efforts to combat the cocaine trade and dismantle the networks behind it. Additionally, the agent highlighted concerns about the undetermined value of the confiscated drugs.
However, clearing the agent called for sustained collaboration among relevant agencies to ensure the effectiveness of future drug interdiction operations. While acknowledging the reduction in drug seizures as a positive indication of the agency’s strategies yielding results, the agent emphasized that continuous vigilance and proactive measures are necessary to maintain this downward trend and protect society from the scourge of drug trafficking.
