The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken custody of a staggering 6,778.5 Kilo Grammes of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, recently intercepted in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking during the formal handing and taking over ceremony in Lagos, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa described the seizure as a landmark moment in the history of inter-agency synergy in Nigeria.
Marwa was represented by the Agency’s Director of Seaport Operations, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) Ibinabo Archie-Abia.
He said that the interception came during a joint examination of two containers by NDLEA operatives, men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies at the Apapa seaport.
“Through two major seizures recorded on June 15 and 16, we sent a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever, especially to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders”, Marwa said.
The NDLEA chairman said that the historic seizures were the culmination of painstaking months of intelligence-led operation spearheaded by the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and the NDLEA Marine Intelligence Unit.
He said that the agency was working in close synchronisation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said that to evade law enforcement, the international drug syndicates utilised highly complex maritime routes.
He added that the NDLEA surveillance officers were however able to track the shipments across multiple continents before their successful interception.
According to him, It bears stating clearly how these consignments moved. The first container, CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto on April 16.
“In an apparent attempt to evade detection, it was moved by rail to Montreal before being loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express.
“It arrived at Tangier Med, Morocco, on May 6, where it was trans-shipped onto the Spartel Trader, which berthed at Tin Can Island Port on May 27.
“It was subsequently moved to the Global Bonded Terminal before being transferred by water to Apapa Port on June 10, where it was intercepted during a joint examination of the shipment between our men, colleagues from the NCS and other security agencies.
“The second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on May 1, aboard the vessel Africa express, before being trans-shipped onto the Algeciras express on May 15, and arriving at Tin Can Island Port.
“Following discharge on June 4, it was moved to Apapa Port on June 22, where it fell into the hands of our waiting officers.”
“We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation, in spite of the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities.
“As such, we remain resolute. Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, as well as confiscating their criminal assets, and to ensuring that they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise,” he said.
Marwa further commended the synergy between the leaderships and personnel of the two agencies.
”I commend in the strongest terms, the dedication, professionalism and courage of the officers and men of the NDLEA, the NCS and all sister security agencies that refused to look away and allow these dangerous substances to flood our communities.
”Your patriotism and unwavering commitment have once again proven that you are effective guardians of our maritime gateways.
”This success was made possible by the intelligence-sharing and operational synergy displayed by every participating agency.
”It is a powerful demonstration of what inter-agency collaboration, international cooperation and intelligence-driven operations can achieve in the fight against transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking,” he said.
