Drug Agency Destroys N301bn Illicit Drugs in Lagos, Vows to Cripple Cartels’ Finances
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed nearly 330 tonnes of illicit drugs valued at about N301.06 billion in Lagos, in what the agency described as a major blow to drug trafficking networks operating across the country.
The destruction, carried out on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, followed orders of the Federal High Court in Lagos and involved drugs recovered from concluded cases and abandoned seizures. The 329,865.585kg consignment was gathered from several NDLEA commands in Lagos, including the Lagos Strategic Command, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa ports, the Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit. The substances included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties, tramadol, codeine-based syrups, ephedrine, other opioids and khat.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the scale of the destruction demonstrated the agency’s determination to disrupt both the drug supply chain and the financial networks sustaining organised crime. He said the illegal drug trade has consequences beyond substance abuse, linking it to addiction, crime, weakened productivity and the financing of violent criminal activities. Marwa also warned traffickers, financiers and dealers that the agency would continue pursuing their networks and assets while urging families, schools, religious leaders, traditional institutions and the media to support efforts against drug abuse.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, commended the NDLEA’s operations and pledged continued institutional support. They said the seizure and destruction of the drugs highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, government and other stakeholders in weakening drug trafficking and its links to violent crime.
