The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant drug seizures and arrests across Nigeria, uncovering large quantities of illicit substances concealed in various methods. These operations targeted shipments bound for the United States and United Kingdom, intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and other locations.
On July 31, 2024, NDLEA agents uncovered 36 parcels of high-potency cannabis hidden in tins of Nestle Cerelac baby food at the SAHCOL export shed in Lagos. The total weight of the seized drugs was 18.5 kilograms. Freight agent Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, who was handling the export, was arrested. A subsequent raid in Ibadan led to the arrest of Bello Motunrayo Folu, the sender.
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“These drug traffickers attempted to disguise their shipments by tampering with the bottom of the Cerelac tins, but our officers’ vigilance prevented their plans,” Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed in a statement.
In another operation on July 29, NDLEA intercepted five shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances, including promethazine and tramadol, concealed in cloths and other items intended for export. One shipment, containing 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections, was destined for the US, while over two kilograms of opioids were headed for the UK.
On August 2, 2024, NDLEA operatives at Tincan port in Lagos seized 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, hidden in the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada. The total weight of the drugs was 38.5 kilograms. Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday and Lekan Atoyebi, were arrested in connection with this seizure.
Additional operations across Lagos, Ondo, Edo, and Kogi states led to the recovery of substantial quantities of drugs. In Lagos, 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup and 600 grams of Molly were seized. In Ondo, 50 bags of cannabis weighing 520 kilograms were found, and in Edo, 220 kilograms of cannabis were recovered. Various suspects were arrested in connection with these findings.
NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s efforts. “Our ongoing operations and community sensitization campaigns are crucial in the fight against drug trafficking,” Marwa said. “We will continue to uphold our rigorous enforcement and educational initiatives to combat this menace effectively.”