NDLEA uncovers 1.8 tonnes of cocaine in Lagos warehouse, as Buhari hails ‘haul’

President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its discovery of a suspected cocaine warehouse in Lagos, said to store hard drugs with street value of $278, 250,000, (equivalent to N194, 775,000,000).

The warehouse, according to the anti-narcotics agency, was discovered in ‘a secluded estate in Ikorodu area of Lagos where 1.8 tons (1,855 kilograms) of the illicit drug was stored.

The NDLEA in a statement confirming the major operation, by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Monday, also disclosed that discovery ‘appears to be the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s premier anti-narcotic agency.’

Babafemi further disclosed that at least, four drug barons, including a Jamaican and the warehouse manager, have been arrested in the well-coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted two days across different locations in Lagos state.

“Kingpins of the cocaine cartel in custody include: Messrs Soji Jibril, 69, an indigene of Ibadan, Oyo state; Emmanuel Chukwu, 65, who hails from Ekwulobia, Anambra state; Wasiu Akinade, 53, from Ibadan, Oyo state; Sunday Oguntelure, 53, from Okitipupa, Ondo state and Kelvin Smith, 42, a native of Kingston, Jamaica.

“They are all members of an international drug syndicate that the agency has been trailing since 2018.

“Located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, the warehouse was raided on Sunday 18th September, 2022, while the barons were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between Sunday night and Monday 19th September.

“Preliminary investigation reveals the class-A drugs were warehoused in the residential estate from where the cartel was trying to sell them to buyers in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. They were stored in 10 travel bags and 13 drums,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, congratulated the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), ‘on the recent very successful operation of the Agency leading to the smashing of an international drug syndicate and recovery of 1,855kilograms of cocaine.’

A statement by Buhari media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, said the President gave the commendation in a telephone call to the Chairman of the anti-narcotics agency from New York where he is attending the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77).

Adesina quoted President Buhari as saying that news of the major discovery ‘gladdens his heart.’

“I deeply appreciate the work that you have put into the eradication of the drug menace. It gladdens my heart as I continue to follow the successes achieved under your leadership.

“You have demonstrated over and again that choosing you to lead this fight against wicked merchants of death whose sole aim is to endanger and truncate the future of our youth is a very good choice. Please keep up the good work.”

At a meeting later with members of his delegation, the President said, “Buba Marwa is doing well. Two tonnes of cocaine, that’s a haul.”