The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday said it had seized 7.5kg of cocaine at the Port Harcourt Wharf.
Mr Sunday Mbona, NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, who made the disclosure to newsmen, said three persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to him, this is the first time such feat will be recorded in Port Harcourt.
Mbona added that the cocaine seizure followed several months of extensive surveillance on the suspected container and the hard work by the agency’s officials.
The NDLEA official noted that the substance was hidden inside a heavy metallic oil equipment and concealed with grains of rice.
“We had to cut through the huge mass of steel and saw grains of rice which in fact made us raise questions as to why rice should be put inside such equipment.
“We remained resolute and undaunted in our move to get to the roots; this feat is to us a product of professional management of information and perseverance,’’ he said.
Speaking on the incident, the NDLEA Commander in Rivers, Rachel Shelleng, said that those in detention as a result of the seizure would be prosecuted after investigation.
She promised to enliven the agency’s resolve to ensure strong vigilance, intelligence gathering and dexterity in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
“This breakthrough shows that NDLEA’s drive to remain an intelligence-led law enforcement agency is yielding results,’’ she said.
Shelleng, however, called on members of the public to support the agency in its anti-illicit drug crusade by availing it with useful intelligence. (NAN)
