The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday revealed that 2,904 drug offenders are serving various jail terms in Nigeria.

The anti-drug agency stated that other cases are ongoing in court, “which we are confident will end in positive results too.”

The agency’s Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, DCGN Sunday Joseph, spoke on Tuesday during the public destruction in Badagry area of Lagos of 1.8 tons of cocaine.

The cocaine with a street value put at $278,250,000 (N194,775,000,000) was recovered from a warehouse in Ikorodu area of Lagos State last week.

According to him, “The Agency is proceeding with the prosecution of those arrested in connection with this consignment. On this, the public can rest assured that NDLEA shall pursue the trial to a logical conclusion. Since January 25, 2021, when we commenced our offensive action against drug traffickers, the Agency has secured record convictions.

“Presently, 2,904 drug offenders are serving various jail terms, while other cases are ongoing in court, which we are confident will end in positive results too.”

To the drug underworld, he said: “The bust of the syndicate responsible for the cocaine warehoused in Ikorodu is a message to drug cartels that their investments in the illicit drug trade will go up in flames as you are about to witness while they also risk losing their freedom because the present NDLEA is committed to arresting, prosecuting and ensuring the conviction of those involved in illicit drugs. That is not all, we now also go after their assets acquired with the proceeds of the criminal trade.”

The NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted two days last week stormed a hidden warehouse at 6 Olukunola street, Solebo estate Ikorodu where 1.8 tons of cocaine were recovered and five suspects including a Jamaican were arrested.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an order for the destruction of the consignment.

Joseph said the sheer volume of the drug haul speaks volume about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.

He said out of the 1.8-ton seizure, 1,828 blocks of the cocaine will be crushed and set ablaze while the remnant will be secured for purpose of prosecution of the suspects who were brought to witness the procedure and sign the certificate of destruction.

The Star