NDLEA intercepts 105.2kg of Cocaine at Lagos Port

Abiola Seun |

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday intercepted 105.2 kilogrammes of substance allegedly believed to be cocaine wrapped in 40 packets onboard a vessel; MV SPAR SCORPIO while discharging sugar at Josepdam Terminal, at the Lagos port complex.

However, a reliable source at the Lagos Command of the agency yesterday confirmed to newsmen that the substance intercepted had been confirmed to be cocaine.

The source who wouldn’t want his name in print said the substance was intercepted by NDLEA after receiving intelligence report of the substance onboard the vessel.

However, the Tin-Can Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), who subtly confirmed the interception, said it was intercepted during routine discharge of bulk sugar at the Josepdam terminal.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Tin-Can Island command, Uche Ejiesieme, the bags were intercepted by terminal security operatives who however handed over to the Port Security Officer to the Tin-Can Island port manager.

He said, “During routine discharge of Bulk Sugar at about 1103hrs on Monday 8th February, 2021 at the Josepdam Terminal, the Terminal Operators noticed two (2) bags of substances in the hopper that is used to discharge sugar from the Vessel into waiting trucks in the Terminal.

” The bags were recovered by the Terminal Security Operatives who now invited the PSO to the Port Manager to report the developments, without recourse to the Customs.

However, we understand that the substances have been handed over to the NDLEA. In this circumstance, it is only the NDLEA that can give further details on this issue