The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has seized at least 750 tons of illicit drugs over the past three years, according to Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohammed Marwa (retd.).
Marwa made the announcement on Wednesday during the inauguration of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, a facility built and donated by the British government.
He stated that the agency’s partnership with other maritime law enforcement agencies had led to a significant uptick in drug seizures and arrests, resulting in the capture of 41 suspects, 15 of whom have already been prosecuted and jailed.
“We upgraded the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command in 2022, and since then, our balance sheet of arrests and drug seizures within the maritime space has shown an upward trend,” Marwa said.
He added that through various port operations, the agency seized a variety of illicit drugs, including cocaine, codeine, tramadol, methamphetamine, and Loud.
The chairman pointed out the increasing complexity of maritime drug trafficking, noting that traffickers are now using personal vessels such as luxury yachts, modified pump boats, and fishing trawlers to smuggle narcotics.
He called for continuous collaboration among security agencies to combat this growing threat, which also poses links to organized crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.
British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, present at the event, stated the UK’s support for the NDLEA’s efforts, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, praised the agency’s role in protecting citizens and enhancing security.
The NDLEA also referenced data from the United Nations, which shows that West Africa remains a major transit region for narcotics, with drug traffickers frequently exploiting maritime routes.