The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs destined for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said the drugs were concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothing and were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos. He confirmed that at least two suspects connected to the drug trafficking attempts had been arrested.
One of the suspects, a cargo agent, was arrested on October 7 after 15 parcels of cannabis (skunk) were found hidden in 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs prepared for export to the DRC.
Another suspect, a 48-year-old UK-based Public Health Assistant, was arrested on October 12 at Terminal 2 of the airport in Ikeja. She was caught attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, UK, with 2,300 tramadol (225mg) pills concealed in frozen snails in her luggage.
Additionally, on October 16, NDLEA officers thwarted another smuggling attempt involving 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothing and destined for the U.S.
More Arrests and Drug Seizures Nationwide
Adamawa State: A suspect was arrested at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South LGA, with 38,270 tramadol pills concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door panels of a Honda Civic driven from Benin Republic.
Ekiti State: NDLEA operatives destroyed 53,250kg of cannabis plants cultivated on 21.3 hectares of farmland in Ilawe-Ekiti. An additional 1,140kg of processed cannabis was recovered during the operation conducted from October 12 to 13.
Ondo State: About 17,400kg of skunk cultivated on 6.96 hectares of farmland was destroyed in Aponmu Forest Reserve, Akure, on October 12.
Oyo State: Four suspects were arrested with 596kg of cannabis in Apata-Ako, Igboora, while two others were caught with 273kg in Odo-Oyan, Igangan on October 16.
Ogun State: A suspect was apprehended with 88kg of skunk in Ona-Imeko on October 15.
Imo State: A 42-year-old man was arrested with 13,000 opioid pills along the Onitsha–Owerri Road.
Enugu State: Officers recovered 74.5kg of cannabis from a store in Umuogbo-Agu village on October 18.
Lagos State: In Mushin, 117kg of cannabis packed in 11 bags was recovered from a suspect’s residence on October 18.
Apapa Port, Lagos: A container earlier placed on watchlist was intercepted with 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup imported from India, during a joint examination with Customs and other security agencies on October 14.
WADA Sensitisation Campaign Continues Nationwide
Babafemi also revealed that NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities.
Some institutions visited include:
Commercial Grammar School, Igogo Ekiti
Junior Secondary Smart School, Kasarawa, Katsina
Government Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers
Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Babura, Jigawa
Attarbiyya Community College, Hotoro, Kano
Fuga Mixed Secondary School, Edo
St. Cyprian Special Science School, Nsukka, Enugu
St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State
NDLEA Chairman Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended officers and men of the MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Ekiti, Adamawa, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Ondo, and Imo Commands for their successful operations. He urged them to sustain their balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement with public education and sensitization.
