NDLEA arrests 37 drug suspects, secures 20 convictions at Tin-Can Island Port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 34 males and 3 females – a total of 37 suspects, for drug-related offences at the Tin-Can Island Port, since the beginning of 2024.

Commander of Narcotics, Tin-Can Island Command of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this at a joint press briefing with the Customs Areas Controller in charge of Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, where 16 containers of illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceuticals seized by Customs were unveiled in Lagos on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said the Agency also secured 20 convictions with a seizure of over 330,835.79 kilograms of various assorted drugs within the review period.

His words: “Before, we used to be confronted with questions, why are you people not arresting the drug barons? But that is now history. With the coming in of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, we have over 50 drug barons in detention and under prosecution, unlike in the past.

“It is pertinent to note that at the Tin-Can Island Port Strategic Command, since the beginning of the year 2024, we have apprehended a total of 37 suspects, comprising 34 males and 3 females. And we have also secured over 20 convictions with a seizure of over 330,835.79 kilograms of various assorted drugs.

Speaking on the estimated street value of the seized drugs, Ofoyeju said, “A kilogram of cocaine today is about 25 million Naira. Same goes for heroin, why the Canadian loud is about six million. So, you can imagine the colossal amount that has been taken out of illicit circulation.”

He commended the collaborative efforts and synergy between NDLEA and Customs, maintaining that the fight against narcotic drugs can only thrive on the principle of collective responsibility.

He said, “The relationship we enjoy today with the Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies is a product of good thinking and strategic deployment of practice. In 2023, the Chairman Chief Executive of NDLEA and the Comptroller General of Customs signed an MoU to perfect our working operations, not just at the seaport, but also at the border as well as the airport. And in terms of capacity to trace illicit drug proceeds, we have received several commendations from our international counterparts.

“The Financial Action Task Force is proud of NDLEA because of the job we are doing, not just for the country, but internationally. Because when Nigerians are arrested abroad, they send details to us and we do the diligent financial investigation of their money, bank accounts, and assets. That has yielded very significant results for the agency and the country.”

While emphasizing the agency’s commitment to tackling the growing problem of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, Oyefoju appealed to members of the public to pass on any information regarding drug- related activities to the agency.

He added that the agency also provides free 24/7 psychosocial support for substance abuse victims, stating that individuals no longer have to suffer in silence due to drug-related issues.

He said, “You may have information, pass it over discreetly to the NDLEA. One of the consequences of drug trafficking is drug use disorders. In order to balance the mandate of the NDLEA, under the present leadership, we launched the war against drug abuse campaign on the 26th of June, 2021, by former president Muhamed Buhari.

“And that platform has given us leverage in reaching out to various categories of Nigerians. Gone are the days where people now suffer in silence as a result of maybe their children or their wives or their spouses are into drugs. Today, from the comfort of your house, you can call NDLEA toll free line and medical doctors, psychiatrists, social health workers will attend to you.

“And the number to dial is 0800-10-20-30-40. You can give it to your neighbors, anyone that has drug use problem. Let them just call the number, they will counsel them.

“The people are well knowledgeable. And the beauty again is that they will counsel you in the major languages, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin English. So you can call the number and they will ask you where you are calling from.

“If you say Lagos, they will direct you to the nearest rehabilitation center in Lagos where you can be rehabilitated. Gone are the days where your child will tell you, daddy, mommy, I don’t take illicit substance. And you start arguing.

“We have introduced drug testing kits. With the test kit, whatever illicit substance someone has taken will be indicated. If it is cigarette, nicotine, cocaine, or tramadol, it will show. ”