NDLEA seizes N4bn worth of cocaine at Tin Can Island

Written by The Punch Tuesday, 27 July 2010

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Nigerian businessman and two Chinese industrialists in connection with an unlawful importation of cocaine valued at N4bn at Tin Can Port, Lagos.

The Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, told journalists at a press conference on Monday that with the apprehension of the barons, the agency had smashed a major international drug syndicate that smuggled cocaine from South American countries to West Africa.

He said the arrest followed the interception of 450.400 kilogrammes of cocaine unlawfully imported from Chile, noting that the cocaine seizure, which had an estimated street value of over N4bn, was the second largest ever in the country.

Giade, who declined to give the names of the barons for fear that it might jeopardise further investigations, described the seizure as a major breakthrough in the country’s counter-narcotics efforts.

He said, “The entire operation was intelligence-based and professionally executed. This is the second largest seizure of cocaine next to the 14.2 tonnes made at the same port in 2006.

“The quantity is frightening and the street value paints a horrendous picture of the illicit drug trade. Apart from the estimated street value in the country, the value would have doubled in Europe. The seizure is exciting to us. It is also a wake-up call for all hands to be on deck.”