N32b cocaine from Brazil seized at Tincan Island Port, clearing agents arrested

THE officials of the  National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) have intercepted forty parcels of cocaine weighing 43.11kg at the Tincan Island Port, Lagos.

The parcels are said to have an estimated street value of N32 billion.

The cargo reportedly came from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) at the port, Mr Sumaila Ethan disclosed this in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, Jonah Achema in Abuja.

Ethan noted that the agency has continued its offensive against drug barons and cartels in Nigeria with the latest seizure.

He said that the consignment containing the illicit drug was put under surveillance by operatives of the Tincan Island Command of the NDLEA for some days until two clearing agents showed up on Feb. 8, to clear it.

According to Ethan the two clearing agents have been arrested and the consignment, which was brought into Nigeria from Brazil on board a vessel marked MV SPAR SCORPIO, properly searched.

He said, “After a thorough search, we discovered 40 compressed parcels, which after laboratory investigations tested positive to cocaine.

“The two clearing agents have been taken into custody while we continue with the investigation.

“The seizure is no doubt an attestation to the renewed vigour in the operations of the agency.

“We appreciate our Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, who provided guidance all through the operations”, the commander said.

Ethan stated that the Tincan Island port seizure was coming on the heels of similar ones at the Lagos and Abuja airports as well as from the FCT, Edo, Katsina State, Nasarawa State and Benue state Commands in the last three weeks.

While commending the commander, officers and men of the Tincan Port Command for the operation, Ethan said the NDLEA would stop at nothing to rid the country of the menace of illicit drug consumption and transaction.

“We’ll continue to do our best to motivate the officers and men of the agency, and we expect full commitment, dedication to work and discipline in return so that we can collectively achieve the goal of ridding our nation of illicit drugs”, he stated.