- Nabs 10 suspects in multiple raids
BY BLESSING NKEREUWEM, ABUJA – Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and clothes with the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) as their destination.
The seizures occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos on July 31, 2024.
A statement by the Agency said its officers recovered 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis hidden in six cartons of Nestle Cerelac baby food tins at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport.
It disclosed that each package contained six containers, totaling 18.50 kilograms of the psychotropic substance.
Signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the statement said the consignment, intended for export to the UK, led to the arrest of freight agent, Salaudeen Suliat Abiola while a follow-up operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 3, resulted in the apprehension of Bello Motunrayo Folu, sender of the cargo, at her residence in Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of Ibadan.
According to the Agency, the cleverly concealed drugs, tampered at the bottom of factory-sealed tins, were discovered by vigilant NDLEA officers who foiled the attempt.
In another development, NDLEA operatives intercepted five shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances hidden in clothes and other items destined for the US and UK.
The Agency disclosed that on July 29, a logistics company in Lagos was found with 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections heading to the US, and over two kilograms of opioids, including tramadol, molly, and NPS, bound for the UK.
Also, on August 2 at the Tincan port in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada. The total weight of the seized consignments was 38.5 kilograms while two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday, 34, and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, were arrested in the process.
In other raids, one suspect, Isiagu Sunday was apprehended in Mushin, Lagos, on August 1 with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,070 tablets of Molly while in Ondo State, 50 bags of cannabis weighing 520 kilograms were found in a bush at Isuada, Owo council area.
Additionally, the NDLEA said five suspects were arrested in connection with 42 kilograms of cannabis in Itaogbolu forest.
In Edo State, 22.5 bags of cannabis weighing 220 kilograms were recovered from the Egbeta community, Ovia North East area, and a suspect, Osayede Aghoma, was arrested, just as another suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was caught with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 19.2 kilograms on the Okene-Lokoja highway.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), had lauded officers and men involved in these operations, especially given their efforts in drug supply reduction and WADA sensitization.
Urging them the Agency’s operatives to maintain their zeal and dedication to duty, Brigadier Marwa said would not relent in continuing its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities, educating schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the country.
He said these efforts so far include lectures and advocacy visits already undertaken in Anambra, Delta, Katsina, and Ondo states among others.
