…intercepts tramadol pills in custard containers; busts laughing gas warehouse in VGC Lekki; recovers 11,096kg illicit drugs in Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina raids
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids, such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, concealed in the soles of shoes, clothes, and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus, according to a release by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, July 14.
Approximately 250 grams of cocaine destined for Cyprus were hidden in the soles of custom-made shoes. Additionally, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos. In another case, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos, was intercepted by operatives at one of the logistic companies.
In Edo state, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA, following credible intelligence. The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was found to contain custard containers with 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg buried in the custard powder. Abdullahi claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra state, and were being taken to Mararaba, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for sale.
On Thursday, July 11, operatives raided the Ohen forest in the Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmland. Four suspects—Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27—were arrested. Similarly, 300 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA during a raid on Saturday, July 13.
In Ogun state, on Tuesday, July 9, operatives recovered 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese. The suspected owner, Umar Ibese, is currently at large. On the same day, in Borno state, 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, during a joint operation with the Nigerian Army. On Wednesday, July 10, operatives in Katsina state arrested 54-year-old Sabo Sule with 47kg of cannabis in Katsina town.
In Lagos, on Monday, July 8, operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, and recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 pieces of balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers, among other items. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Commands and formations of the NDLEA across the country have continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent activities include WADA enlightenment lectures for students of St. Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; students and staff of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; students and teachers of Ede High School, Ede, Osun state; students of Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina state; and students of Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of the Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands, as well as those of DOGI, for their arrests and seizures. He noted their drug supply reduction efforts, balanced with WADA sensitization activities, and urged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo.