Temitope Felix, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a series of strategic operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted substantial quantities of cocaine and opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection. These illicit substances were ingeniously concealed in the soles of shoes, clothes, and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.
Among the notable seizures, 250 grams of cocaine destined for Cyprus were found hidden in custom-made shoe soles, and over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered in clothes and household items shipped through courier firms in Lagos. Additionally, operatives intercepted 440 grams of "Loud," a synthetic strain of cannabis from Canada, at a logistics company.
Further, in Edo state on July 10th, NDLEA operatives stopped a vehicle at Ewu junction in Esan Central LGA. A search of the luggage of one of the occupants, 32-year-old Aminu Abdullahi, revealed 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in custard containers. Abdullahi confessed that he had purchased the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra state, intending to sell them in Abuja.
Subsequent operations in Edo included the destruction of 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmland in Ohen forest, Abudu area, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Another 300 kilograms of cannabis were seized from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA on July 13th.
In Ogun state, operatives recovered 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese on July 9th, although the suspected owner remains at large. A joint operation with the Nigerian Army in Konduga town, Borno state, resulted in the seizure of 2,455 kilograms of materials for producing Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance.
On July 10th, Katsina state operatives arrested a 54-year-old, Sabo Sule, with 47 kilograms of cannabis in Katsina town. In Lagos, a raid on a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, on July 8th, uncovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide (laughing gas), 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers. Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their efforts in reducing drug supply and balancing these efforts with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities. These activities have included lectures and enlightenment sessions in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across various states.
The continuous operations and educational outreach programs underscore the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
