NDLEA seized 15,064.62kg of cocaine, heroin worth N225 trillion at Lagos ports since 2006

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha
Abdallah said that the Agency has seized over
15,064kg of cocaine and heroin at the Tin Can
and Apapa ports since 2006 with an estimated
value of 225 trillion naira.
Abdallah said that drug barons are targeting the
ports for their illicit drug activities but the Agency
will resist their scheming. The drugs include
14,813.40kg of cocaine and 251.22kg of heroin.
"The seaports are high risk drug trafficking
locations because of the movement of
large volume of consignments. Official
record of drug seizures at the ports
underscores the volatility of the ports in
drug trafficking. Since 2006, the Agency
has seized over 15,064kg of cocaine and
heroin at the Lagos ports. The country
cannot afford to condone this criminal
trade because such huge proceeds in the
hands of drugs cartels is threatening. We
shall continue to screen incoming and
outgoing vessels thereby making the ports
impregnable to drug trafficking
organisations".
Abdallah added that the presence of the NDLEA at
the ports is of immense economic and security
benefit to the country and that the Agency will
maintain alertness and frustrate any action
targeted at disrupting her operations at the
seaports. The Agency has the approval of the
Federal Government to operate at the ports and
this onerous responsibility shall be diligently and
effectively discharged. Abdallah reiterated that the
NDLEA will take reasonable measures in
preventing the seaports from being used for drug
trafficking.
Some of the spectacular drug seizures made at
the ports include 14.2 metric tons of cocaine
imported from Chile and intercepted in June 2006
at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos. The drug which
was concealed in a shipment of white cement was
rated the single largest seizure of cocaine in
Africa and fifth largest in the world. There is also
the celebrated case of 450.400kg of cocaine
hidden in processed wood. The drug imported
from Chile by a Taiwanese and a Chinese drug
baron was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port,
Lagos in July 2010.
In addition, 137.73kg of heroin was intercepted at
the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos in November 2010.
The heroin hidden in industrial equipment and
sewing threads was imported from the Republic of
Iran. Cocaine weighing 165kg packed in 150
square parcels inside 38 cartons of floor tiles
imported from Bolivia was equally intercepted at
the Tin Can Island Port Lagos in January 2011. A
week later, 110kg of cocaine was detected inside
twenty-five (25) packs of floor tiles containing 4
parcels each which originated from Bolivia also at
Tin Can port.
In May 2012, 113.49kg of heroin industrially
concealed in three moulding machines imported
from Islamabad, Pakistan in a 20 feet container
was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos
in May 2012. The shipment was monitored and
intercepted by NDLEA officials at Okota area of
Lagos while it was being taken to a private
warehouse.
The NDLEA boss called on port operators to
collaborate and support the Agency in ensuring
zero tolerance for drug trafficking at the ports.