NDLEA Announce Seizure Of Deadly Narcotics At Seaports

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the interception and seizure of 207,976 kilograms of deadly narcotics from January 2023 to March 2024, at multiple seaports nationwide.

Mr. Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed this information in a document sent to The PUNCH on Sunday.

Babafemi revealed that during the first quarter of 2024, a 14 suspects were apprehended with an astonishing 16.69 kg of cocaine and a jaw-dropping 11,622.229 kg of cannabis sativa.

Consequently, he passionately declared, “From January to October 2023, an astonishing 167 individuals were apprehended, with an overwhelming 196,336.99 kg of various potent drugs seized.”

The NDLEA spokesperson disclosed that the agency deliberately chose not to assign a monetary value to these confiscations to avoid inadvertently incentivizing others to partake in the perilous world of drug trafficking.

“We avoid placing a value on the seizure to prevent glorifying criminal actions or encouraging others towards desperation,” he clarified.

In response, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, advocated for harsher penalties for offenders.

“People are growing increasingly desperate to make money from these hard drugs. Their actions are becoming more audacious. If the government implements more deterrent sanctions, it might discourage them from being so daring or desperate to make quick money and risk committing such crimes.

“I’m not sure what the current sanctions are, but stricter measures are likely to help. The more offenders that are caught and penalized, the better for the system. It will send a message to others around the world that this is a no-go area,” he suggested.