Mohammed Marwa (retd.), the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), claims that throughout the last three years, the agency has seized at least 750 tons of illegal substances.
Marwa made the remark on Wednesday during the opening of the British government-built and sponsored NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos.
The agency’s collaboration with other maritime law enforcement authorities, he said, has resulted in a notable increase in narcotics seizures and arrests, leading to the apprehension of 41 suspects, 15 of whom have already been charged and imprisoned.
Since 2022, when we elevated the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command, our balance sheet of narcotics seizures and arrests in the maritime sector has shown an increase Marwa said.
The agency also confiscated a range of illegal narcotics, including cocaine, codeine, tramadol, methamphetamine, and Loud, through various port operations, he added.
The chairman emphasized the growing complexity of drug trafficking in the maritime sector, pointing out that traffickers are now smuggling drugs via personal vessels like fishing trawlers, luxury yachts, and modified pump boats.
In order to counter this escalating threat, which also has connections to terrorism, organized crime, and human trafficking, he urged security services to work together continuously.
The UK supports the NDLEA’s work, said British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, who was present at the event. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the agency’s role in enhancing security and protecting citizens.
The NDLEA also cited statistics from the United Nations, which indicates that drug traffickers often take use of marine routes in West Africa, which continues to be a major drug transit location.