NDLEA deploys intelligence, due process in ports operations

The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has upped its game since the agency’s change in leadership, taking the fight against narcotics and illegal drug and controlled substance imports and smuggling to a new pedestal.

The new momentum has not only given Nigerians hope about the government’s commitment to combat drug abuse, the agency has enhanced its inter-agency synergy, deploying due process in carrying out its mandate, even as it continues to collaborate with sister agencies such as Nigerian Customs. Service in ensuring that the import seizure of offensive and illicit drugs in ports complies with the rules of engagement, contrary to previous erroneous and misleading reports.

It will be recalled that the NDLEA recently intercepted a container loaded with Tramadol in the port of Apapa, imported into the country illegally and without an End User Certificate, EUC. The agency’s seizure of the Apapa port is one of several seizures it has undertaken, inside and outside the port, effectively bringing the fight to the doorstep of drug lords and their agents.

The agency’s newly appointed chairman, General Buba Marwa, has also ensured that the agency operates under a new work culture that epitomizes professionalism and efficiency, and that operatives adhere to their Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, while maintaining a strong inter-agency relationship.

In addition to several containers of Tramadol and other drugs that the agency intercepted at two different ports, its agents arrested 90 people, including an Indian national, during raids on some flash points in parts of Lagos, leading to the seizure of 614,396 kilograms of hard drug assortment.

The most recent seizure of the agency in the port of Apapa, consisting of 554 boxes of Tramadol, would have been declared as ceramic tiles.

Apapa Seaport NDLEA area commander, Mr. Samuel Gadzama, said the agency’s renewed fight against illegal drugs has gone beyond our immediate border, with the seizure of a container loaded with illicit drugs in Kenya recently.

“Although the second container arrived in Nigeria, it was discovered by the eagle eyes of our narcotics agents during a joint inspection of the ship,” Gadzama said.

In the ongoing attack, NDLEA Lagos Command officers raided some flashpoints located in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko, and other parts of the state, where officers are believed to have dismantled major drug syndicates, in addition to arresting of suspects. and seizure of large quantities of offensive substances.

In light of the increase in illegal narcotics import activities in the country, the NDLEA president has praised his commanders and officers involved in the aforementioned operations, while asking them to remain focused.

Maritime industry stakeholders believe that the new tempo of the war against unscrupulous agents of the illegal importation of prohibited and unapproved drug supplies will create positive guidance for addicts, as well as create a positive image for the country.

Meanwhile, the national president of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Brokers Association, ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike, has expressed regret that he was linked to a statement that tended to question the good works that the NDLEA and its leadership are doing, by mounting the country of illegal activities of drug traffickers. (Sunday Vanguard)