Tina Amanda
National drug law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three persons in connection with the seizure of 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine
in Port Harcourt.
Director of the prosecution and legal services of the Agency, Barrister Sunday Mbona, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the development at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He stressed that the magnitude of the seizure is first of its kind in the existence of NPA Port in Port Harcourt, adding that the cocaine seizure was as a result of extensive surveillance, intelligence report, vigilance, dexterity and proactive disposition of the NDLEA.
According to him, the choice of using the port in Port Harcourt to smuggle the seized cocaine is based on perceived laxity at the port.
Although he did not disclose the street worth of the seized drug, he said that there is a need to reposition the NDLEA for effectiveness.
‘’It will be difficult for the country to benefit from the effectiveness of a repositioned proactive NDLEA if the current moves to push the Agency out of the nation’s ports is allowed to succeed as this will be counterproductive since it will open up the country to be flooded with dangerous drugs that will have negative consequences on the citizen’s health.
“The importance of maintaining the operations of the Agency at all the nation’s entry and exit points consisting of the seaports, airports and land borders as well as various container terminals cannot be overemphasized.
” The seaports are of particular importance as they are the points through which large consignments of illicit drugs are smuggled”
Barrister Mbona further said that the Agency will not relent in its commitment to combat and arrest illicit drug peddlers within and around the state.
“Why they diverted this drug to Port Harcourt port is probably the hit on them at Lagos port.
” We have been combing the nooks and cranny of the state and have made a considerable number of arrests including arrest of kingpins involved in the shipment of tramadol in Lagos port, arrest on drug peddlers of cocaine, canvas, heroine and so many others,” he said.
