Over 207,976kg of drugs seized at seaports in 13months – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted and seized a substantial 207,976 kilograms of hard drugs at various seaports across the country between January 2023 and March 2024. This significant achievement was disclosed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, in a document shared with The PUNCH on Sunday.

Detailing the seizures, Babafemi revealed that in the first quarter of 2024 alone, 14 suspects were apprehended with 16.69kg of cocaine and 11,622.229kg of cannabis sativa.

Additionally, from January to October 2023, 167 individuals were arrested with a total of 196,336.99kg of various drugs. Regarding the financial value of the confiscated drugs, Babafemi emphasized the agency’s policy of not assigning a monetary value to the seizures to avoid inadvertently glorifying or encouraging drug trafficking activities.

“We do not put a value on the seizure to avoid glorifying criminal activities or motivating others into desperation,” he explained. Dr. Muda Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, reacted to these developments by advocating for stricter sanctions on offenders.

He noted the increasing desperation among individuals seeking to profit from the drug trade and suggested that harsher penalties could serve as a deterrent. “People are becoming more desperate to make money from these hard drugs.

If the government introduces more deterrent sanctions, perhaps they won’t be that daring or desperate to make quick money and dare to face the risk of committing such crimes,” he stated. Dr. Yusuf believes that stronger sanctions could send a clear message globally that drug trafficking is a severe crime with significant consequences.