NDLEA Intercepts N7.3bn Codeine Consignments As Two Excrete 150 Cocaine Wraps In Lagos.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N7.35 billion in street value at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne, Rivers State.

According to Femi Babafemi, spokesman for the anti-narcotics agency, the seizure of six containers on Saturday was the third in the last four weeks.

He stated that the success was achieved through credible intelligence and diligent tracking of the consignments from their point of departure by an NDLEA special operations unit, which collaborated with the agency’s Port Harcourt Ports command and other security agencies, including the Customs Service, to conduct a 100% joint examination of the targeted containers.

Babafemi stated that after a joint examination of the six containers, a total of 6,125 cartons containing 1,050,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 157,500 kilogrammes were recovered on Saturday.

In another crackdown, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos arrested two passengers flying to Doha on a Qatar Airways flight at the terminal 2 screening point on Friday, June 21st, after they tested positive for the ingestion of illegal substances. The suspects, Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju) and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji were then placed under observation.

According to Babafemi, Daniel excreted 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.022 kilogrammes in six excretions, whereas Ayigoro excreted 60 wraps of the same Class A substance weighing 662 grammes in five egestions.

He claimed that further investigation revealed that Aikhomoun Daniel stole the identity of his late uncle, who was previously based in Germany, to obtain a Schengen visa that would allow him free access to Europe, even though his real name is Oladapo Olanrewaju.

Last Friday, 40.32 kilogrammes of Loud, an imported strong strain of cannabis, were discovered in a black Toyota Tacoma truck along the Lekki-Ikoyi road when the driver jumped out after noticing NDLEA operatives were on his trail.

Last Friday night, NDLEA agents in Abuja disrupted a drug party called “Go Hard or Go Home.” Pick Your Poison,” in which 60 suspects, 25 males and 35 females, were apprehended at an apartment in Sun City estate in the Federal Capital Territory. The raid was carried out in response to credible intelligence about a drug party organised by Stanley Ikechukwu, who was arrested at the venue.

He also stated that at least six of the suspects, Victoria Adoga, Hamza Yari, Joanne Essein Joy, Socchima Valentine, Jago Imole, and Charles Indobuibisi, were arrested with varying amounts of ecstasy and cannabis.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, has directed that 20 of the suspects who tested negative for drugs be released unconditionally, while 33 others who tested positive for illicit drugs be released on bail and report to the agency’s FCT Command on Monday to begin treatment and counselling.

Babafemi stated that four suspects, Endurance Okon, 24; Joseph Michael, 23; Ovoco Bright, 43; and Goday Abanum, 23, were arrested in the deep forest of Ugun, Igueben local government area, Edo state, on Saturday after NDLEA operatives raided and destroyed 18,632.22 kilogrammes of cannabis on 7.452888 hectares of farmland.

Similarly, the agency’s commands and formations across the country have continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among other places, over the last week.

Meanwhile, while praising the officers and men of the MMIA, Port Harcourt Ports, Lagos, and Edo Commands for their arrests, seizures, and dexterity, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) warned drug cartels that no matter how ingenious their modes of trafficking, the agency’s dedicated workforce, in collaboration with other stakeholders and partners, will always be one step ahead to expose them and thwart their tricks. He urged the officers and their colleagues across the country to keep the agency’s drug control efforts balanced.