In a series of nationwide intelligence-led operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine concealed in various items, including heavy-duty automobile pivot shafts and Ghanaian kente fabric. The operations, which took place across multiple states, resulted in significant drug seizures and several arrests.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, NDLEA officers intercepted 2.32 kilograms of cocaine concealed within Ghanaian traditional kente materials destined for the United Kingdom at a courier firm in Lagos. In a related operation at the same logistics company, 10.494 kilograms of cocaine were found hidden in heavy-duty pivot shafts intended for shipment to the United States. In total, the two shipments amounted to 12.814 kilograms of seized cocaine.
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Further operations led to the interception of five more consignments on Friday, August 9, 2024, also in Lagos. These included 517 grams of cocaine in clothing materials, as well as various quantities of pentazocine injection, promethazine injection, cocodamol pills heading to the UK, and 297 pills of tramadol 225mg destined for Canada. At another logistics company, NDLEA operatives recovered 10 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, from a parcel originating from the United States and meant for delivery in Abuja.
NDLEA operatives also disrupted a cocaine trafficking network in Lagos, leading to the arrest of Obiora Joseph Agudosi on August 7, 2024, with 9 kilograms of cocaine as he attempted to transport it to Onitsha, Anambra State. Follow-up operations in Anambra State resulted in the arrest of two other syndicate members and the seizure of additional cocaine consignments.
In a separate incident at Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 532 parcels of Loud cannabis, weighing 265.25 kilograms, hidden in a Toyota Sienna bus imported from Montreal, Canada. Another seizure of 75 parcels, weighing 37.5 kilograms, was made the following day from a container also arriving from Canada.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in these successful operations, urging them to continue their balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction efforts. “These operations highlight our relentless commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. The success of these operations is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign also continued with sensitization activities in various communities, schools, and worship centers across the country during the past week