NDLEA Destroys N301bn Drug Haul in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a staggering 329,865.585 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances worth an estimated N301.06 billion in Lagos.

The massive destruction exercise took place on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, following an order by the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.

According to the agency, the consignment comprised illicit drugs seized in concluded cases that were not contested, as well as abandoned consignments recovered during various operations across Lagos.

The NDLEA said its Lagos Strategic Command accounted for 246,864.535kg of the substances seized between April 2025 and May 2026.

A further 83,001.05kg were recovered through operations conducted by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, the Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit.

Among the substances destroyed were cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves.

Speaking at the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the destruction underscored the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal networks behind the illicit drug trade.

Marwa warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them, regardless of how sophisticated their operations might be.

He also urged parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and the general public to step up efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking.

The latest operation ranks among the NDLEA’s largest drug destruction exercises in recent times and comes amid a series of major seizures across Lagos and other parts of the country.

In June, the agency destroyed 73,463.21kg of illicit drugs valued at N2.8 billion in Edo State, while previous operations in Lagos led to the seizure of multi-billion-naira consignments of cannabis, cocaine and opioids.