Why Cocaine Worth N194 Billion Recovered In Ikorodu Was Burnt- NDLEA Explains

By Damilare Adeleye

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has explained why it set ablaze cocaine worth N194 Billion that was recently recovered from a warehouse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

Recall that the operatives of the anti-drug agency seized parcels of cocaine worth N194bn, which weighed 1.8tonnes in a warehouse located at Ikorodu, and also arrested some suspected drug barons during a coordinated operation.

Subsequently, on Tuesday, the agency made a public display of the illicit drugs and set them ablaze in Badagry area of Lagos.

Meanwhile, in a statement released to newsmen on Wednesday morning, NDLEA explained that the commission has secured the conviction of exactly 2,904 drug offenders in the last few months from January 2021.

The commission noted that since the agency commenced its offensive action against drug traffickers, it 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,” NDLEA explained.

The chairman of the anti-drug agency, Major General Buba Marwa, also threatened that a more challenging time awaits drug barons and cartels operating in the country if they fail to back out of their illegal trade and embrace legitimate ventures.

Speaking on the Ikorodu cocaine recovery and the action taken, Marwa said: “To the drug underworld, 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 chair also said the agency is proceeding with the prosecution of those arrested in connection with this consignment.