NDLEA Operatives Seize In Lagos Cocaine, Opioids Concealed In Shoe Soles, Clothes

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has halted plans to smuggle illicit drugs from Nigeria into the United States, the United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

According to a press statement issued on Sunday by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, operatives intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, among others, concealed in the soles of shoes, clothes, and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

Babafemi stated that while 250 grammes of cocaine bound for Cyprus were hidden in the soles of custom-made shoes, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) discovered over five kilogrammes of opioids bound for the United States and the United Kingdom in clothes and other household items intended for shipment through some courier firms in Lagos.

The spokesman also revealed that a shipment of 440 grammes of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis travelling from Canada to Lagos, was intercepted by operatives from one of the logistics companies.

Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Edo state intercepted a vehicle bearing the registration number Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction in the Esan Central local government area last Wednesday. Babafemi stated that one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, had his luggage searched and discovered to contain custard containers with 3,000 tramadol 225mg pills buried in the custard powder. According to his statement, the suspect claimed the drugs were purchased in Onitsha, Anambra state, and that he was transporting them to the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for sale.

In another operation, operatives raided the Ohen forest in Edo’s Abudu area last Thursday and destroyed 5,429.75 kilogrammes of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmland. Four suspects were arrested: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27.

Similarly, 300 kilogrammes of the same substance were discovered when NDLEA officers raided the Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West local government area on Saturday.

Last Tuesday, operatives in Ogun state seized 2,865 kilogrammes of cannabis from Afami Ibese, while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese, is still at large. Last Tuesday, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga local government area, Borno state, and recovered at least 2,455 kilogrammes of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS).

The next day, last Wednesday, operatives in Katsina state arrested 54-year-old Sabo Sule in Katsina town with 47 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Last Monday, operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, and seized 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas; 108 cartons of fast gas cylinder; 134 pieces of balloon; and 109 cartons of infusion charger, among other items. Suliyat Abdulsalam, a female suspect, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Babafemi stated that with the same zeal, the agency’s commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among other places, in the previous week.

Meanwhile, while congratulating the officers and men of the Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT commands, as well as those of DOGI, on the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities and charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current pace.