Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that a total of 11,707.229 kilogrammes of illicit drugs were seized at the nation’s ports of Apapa and TinCan Island in the first quarter of 2024.
This is according to data obtained by our correspondent from the Director of Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi informed that a total of 11,622.229 kg of cannabis indica were intercepted in the period under review, while 16.69 kg of cocaine were intercepted during the same period.
Our correspondent noted that there was an increase of over 11,187.279 kg of cannabis indica in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 434.95 kg of cannabis indica recorded in the first quarter of 2023.
Our correspondent further noted that, unlike the first quarter of 2023, there was no record of tramadol seizure at the seaports in Q1 2024, while there were seizures of 720 cartons of tramadol in Q1 2023, equivalent to a staggering 143.8 million pills (10,386 kg).
Babafemi disclosed also that 14 suspects were arrested under the Directorate of Seaports Operations, in connection with the seizure and are currently undergoing trial.
While the director did not specify the overall value of the seized drugs, findings by our correspondent revealed that the street value of 16.69 kg of cocaine is over N2.5 billion and the 11,622.229 kg of cannabis indica is worth over N8 billion on the streets.
Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA refrains from putting a monetary value on these seizures to avoid inadvertently encouraging others to delve into the desperate world of drug trafficking. He stated that, “we do not put a value on the seizure to avoid glorifying criminal activities or motivating others into desperation.”
Checks by our correspondent revealed that the recent developments have transformed the Lagos ports, specifically Apapa and TinCan Island, into coveted destinations for drug cartels. Particularly those involved in cannabis trafficking, despite the deployment of cutting-edge scanning technology, the ports continue to be a magnet for criminal activity, presenting a substantial hurdle for law enforcement agencies to overcome.
Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA’s unrelenting efforts to combat drug trafficking at seaports highlight the pressing need for bolstered security protocols and global collaboration to tackle this pervasive problem.
He further stressed that the significant economic impact of these seized narcotics underscores the urgency for a united and sustained response to curb the illicit drug trade in the region.
Furthermore, he attributed the higher number of arrests in the first quarter of 2024 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.
