Another container of N1.1b cocaine intercepted by NDLEA at Tin Can Island port



large quantity of assorted illicit drugs prepared for destruction by NDLEA



Another container believed to be containing concentrated cocaine valued at over N1.1 billion has been intercepted at the Tin Can Island port, Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) few days ago bringing the number of containers loaded with cocaine and heroin intercepted by the agency at the seaport to three within the past 10 weeks alone. The discovery was made on Thursday evening January 13, during the physical examination of a 20 feet container of floor tiles and cement originating from Bolivia. One person that appeared as the consignee has been arrested.

suspected drug trafficker conceals cocaine on ankle

Fears allayed by people doing business at the port that it is becoming increasingly risky and unsafe to do business at the port due to increasing patronage by drug barons who are continually using the port for the importation of illicit drugs was dismissed by the Chairman and chief executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade who assured that the agency has taken measures capable of frustrating any effort by any baron aimed at importing or exporting drugs through Nigeria.

Giade who said the latest cocaine interception was made possible with the support of the United States Drug Administration (USDEA), said the agency has a very good and effective working relationship with narcotic agencies of other countries of the world where useful information that could lead to the monitoring and arrest of drug traffickers are exchanged. He said the agency in Nigeria has an effective network that is making it near impossible for drug trafficking.

large consignment of pure cocaine intercepted at Lagos Airport

“The drug was concealed in twenty-five (25) packs of floor tiles containing 4 parcels each of powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine. A total of 100 parcels weighing 110 kilograms with an estimated street value of N1.1 billion were found in the container. We had information about the content and movement of the container before it arrived Nigeria. We have been monitoring it until it got here and the supposed consignee came over to clear before we struck,” Giade said.

The NDLEA boss thanked the Nigerian Customs Service at the port for their support and cooperation during the search operation. He described the seizure as a positive start in the New Year for the agency. He gave credit to the USDEA for supplying the intelligence report that led to the successful tracking of the illicit drug consignment.

Giade added: “Investigation has started and is in progress. The suspected consignee is being interrogated by narcotic investigators. This search operation is a continuation of undercover work that commenced since November 2010. More arrests are in the offing. Together we shall make the country drug free as no drug baron will go unpunished.

art carvings used for the concealment of cocaine