Clearing agents arrested as NDLEA intercepts N32bn cocaine at Lagos port

Cocaine worth N32bn has been recovered in a consignment at the Tincan Port in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

It was gathered that the consignment, which arrived Nigeria from Brazil on board a vessel marked MV SPAR SCORPIO was placed on surveillance for some days before two clearing agents showed up on Monday to clear it.

The Commander, Tincan Port Command of the NDLEA, Sumaila Ethan, said the clearing agents were arrested, while the consignment was searched and the substance weighing 43.11kg was found in it.

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

“The Tincan Port seizure followed the various seizures made at the Lagos and Abuja airports as well as in Edo, Katsina, Nasarawa and Benue states in the last three weeks.”

Commending the operatives of the Tincan Port Command, the Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), charged them and other officers and men from different commands across the country to remain vigilant.

He said, “The successes we recorded in the last three weeks can only serve as a challenge to raise the bar and do more. 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.”