NDLEA’s Major Drug Bust: N10 Billion Heroin Seized, 10 Suspects Arrested

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted the largest-ever heroin consignment brought into the country by a syndicate operating across three continents.

The operation, which lasted nine days, led to the arrest of 10 suspects, the freezing of 109 bank accounts, and the seizure of N119 million in cash, as well as properties including hotels and mansions in the Ago Palace Way area of Lagos.

Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), the head of the NDLEA, revealed the details of the operation during a media briefing in Lagos.

He explained that the agency had intercepted 51.90 kilograms of high-grade Class A narcotics, which were concealed within cutting machines destined for a warehouse controlled by a drug cartel in the Ipaja district.

The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at £100,000 per kilogram, resulting in a total value of £5,190,000, or N10,365,987,000 when converted at the current exchange rate of N1,997.3 to a pound.

This major bust has been compared to a previous significant seizure in Ikorodu and demonstrates the NDLEA operatives’ tactics, including the use of sniffer dogs to detect the smuggled drugs.

In addition to the seizure and arrests, the NDLEA has initiated communication with its South African counterpart to pursue the apprehension of the cartel’s leaders, who are believed to be based in South Africa and Mozambique.

This collaboration highlights the importance of international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

The NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria and across international borders serve as a strong reminder of the importance of vigilance and collaboration in the ongoing battle against illicit drug trade.