The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized a total of 368,201.58kgs of illicit drugs at Nigeria’s seaports within just two months of July and August 2024.
Further investigations by Shipping Position Daily have given the street value of the drugs to be in excess of N3Billion
The NDLEA also apprehended eight suspects who were linked to these seizures, which were carried out at the Apapa, Tincan, Port Harcourt, and various Marine outposts.
The startling revelations were contained in data that were exclusively received by our correspondent from the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi.
The seized substances included large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, codeine-laced cough syrup, and barcadin with codeine.
Our correspondent gathered that these drugs, which are often smuggled through the country’s ports, have been at the center of Nigeria’s growing drug abuse crisis. Although the NDLEA did not release an official estimate of the monetary value of the drugs, findings by our correspondent indicate that the haul could be worth well over ₦3 billion, based on street prices and data from previous drug seizures.
According to findings by our correspondent, the seized drugs included: Cannabis sativa (3,327 kilograms), Cannabis indica (347.26 kilograms), Codeine-laced cough syrup (333,964.668 kilograms), Codeine with DSP (27,536.37 kilograms), Codeine with barcadin (20.910 kilograms) and Tramadol (3,005.372 kilograms)
The NDLEA seized the drugs between July 4 and August 23, 2024, across the country’s seaports, with Apapa and Tincan ports in Lagos accounting for the bulk of the intercepted substances.
Even though the agency is silent on the exact value of the seized drugs, an investigation into their market prices provides deep insight into the enormous financial impact of these harmful seizures.
For instance, checks by our correspondent revealed that the street price of codeine-laced cough syrup—one of the most commonly abused substances, varies between ₦8,000 and ₦15,000 per litre, depending on location and supply. With the NDLEA seizing over 333,000 kilograms (approximately 333,000 litres) of the substance, this alone could have a street value of over ₦2.5 billion.
In the case of Tramadol, a drug classified as an opioid, the estimated street price ranges between ₦1,500 and ₦2,500 per 100mg pill. Based on the total seizure of 3,005.372 kilograms (roughly 30 million pills, assuming an average pill weight of 100mg), this quantity could be worth over ₦750 million.
Additionally, cannabis prices fluctuate depending on quality and location, with street values ranging from ₦500 to ₦1,000 per gram. For the 3,327 kilograms of cannabis sativa seized at Marine port, the value could easily reach ₦3.3 million per kilogram, adding up to ₦10 million or more.
Even though cannabis is widely grown and distributed within Nigeria, the quantity intercepted highlights the large-scale trafficking network involved in moving this illicit drug across the country’s borders.
The investigations further revealed that Barcadin with codeine, although seized in smaller quantity of 26.31 kilograms, it commands a high price in the black market, especially due to its limited availability. This substance, which is abused for its sedative effects, could have fetched millions in street value had it not been intercepted.
The arrests made during these operations also point to the organized nature of drug trafficking at Nigerian ports.
For instance, on July 4, 2024, at Tincan Port, one Elechukwu Onyemaenu was arrested in connection with a 26.31 kilogramme seizure of Barcadin with codeine, from a shipment earlier in June.
This was followed by the arrests of three other suspects, namely: Oladewusi Alaba, Dada Kola Oluwaseun, and Ojerinde Oluwafemi, on July 14, 2024, after being caught with 4.5 kilograms of cannabis indica.
Other significant arrests include: Salami Abiodun on July 31, 2024, who was found with 38.5 kilograms of cannabis, and three more individuals: Atoyebi Lekan, Quadri Mojeeb, and Francis Sefikan, all of whom were apprehended in early August for their involvement in smuggling smaller quantities of cannabis indica.
The Port Harcourt port, however, witnessed the largest seizure of codeine-laced cough syrup during this period. On July 18, 2024, the NDLEA seized over 184,410 kilograms of the substance. Just weeks later, on August 14, 2024, another 81,360 kilograms were intercepted, followed by yet another haul of 52,500 kilograms on August 15, 2024.
Marine-based operations also resulted in significant seizures. The transfer of 3,327 kilograms of cannabis sativa from the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft on July 10, 2024, is particularly notable.
Reacting to the seizures, Mr Duru Felix a security expert, in a chat with our correspondent said the sheer volume of codeine being trafficked through the country’s seaports highlights the severity of the codeine abuse epidemic in Nigeria.
He said this haul underscores the longstanding issue of maritime drug trafficking and the complex networks involved in smuggling large quantities of drugs through Nigeria’s waters.
He said: “It is, however, evident that drug traffickers are becoming more creative in their methods, utilizing various concealment tactics and taking advantage of gaps in port security, although despite these difficulties, the NDLEA’s persistent raids and intelligence-based operations have led to these recent successes.
“Nevertheless, the country’s battle against drug trafficking is far from over. While the seizures represent a significant disruption of illicit networks, the high demand for drugs within Nigeria continues to fuel these smuggling operations. Without addressing the root causes of drug abuse, which is poverty, unemployment, and inadequate rehabilitation services, the flow of drugs into the country is unlikely to subside”
“The agency’s efforts, though commendable in curbing supply, will need to be complemented by stronger policies, better technology, and international collaboration to prevent more illicit drugs from entering the country’s borders”, he stated.
Reacting to the seizure, Mr Femi Babafemi noted that while the NDLEA has faced challenges in combating drug smuggling, the agency continues to ramp up efforts to secure Nigeria’s ports.
He said the seizure of over 368 tons of illicit drugs at Nigeria’s seaports within just two months highlights the scale of the drug trafficking problem facing the nation. He said these drugs would have had a devastating impact on communities across Nigeria.
