Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a significant crackdown, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and cloths destined for the United States and the United Kingdom. The operations were carried out at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos.
A statement by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi reads: "On July 31, 2024, NDLEA operatives recovered 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis, commonly known as Loud, concealed in six cartons of tins branded as Nestle Cerelac baby food. Each package contained six containers, resulting in a total weight of 18.50 kilograms. The drugs were seized at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport. Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, a freight agent who presented the consignment for export to the UK, was promptly arrested. Further investigations led to the arrest of Bello Motunrayo Folu, the sender of the cargo, at her residence in Ibadan, Oyo State on August 3, 2024."
The operation revealed that the Cerelac tins were factory-sealed at the top but tampered with at the bottom to conceal the drugs. Loose quantities of infant cereal meal were used to cover the substances, but vigilant NDLEA officers were able to foil the smuggling attempt.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives intercepted five shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances concealed in cloths and other items meant for export to the US and UK. One shipment containing 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was destined for the US, while four other parcels consisting of over two kilograms of opioids, including tramadol 225mg, molly, and NPS, were heading to the UK. These interceptions occurred on July 29, 2024, at a logistics company in Lagos.
In another major operation, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan port in Lagos recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, from the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada. The vehicles included a Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Sienna. The seized consignments weighed 38.5 kilograms. Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday, 34, and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, assigned to clear the shipments, were taken into custody.
Other significant seizures and arrests include:
- Isiagu Sunday was arrested in Mushin Ojuoye, Lagos on August 1, 2024, with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,070 tablets of Molly.
- Fifty bags of cannabis weighing 520 kilograms were recovered in Isuada, Owo, Ondo State, with five suspects arrested in Itaogbolu forest, Akure North LG.
- Twenty-two and a half bags of cannabis weighing 220 kilograms were seized from Egbeta community, Edo State, and a suspect, Osayede Aghoma, was arrested.
- Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was arrested with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 19.2 kilograms along the Okene-Lokoja highway.
Commending the efforts of NDLEA officers in MMIA, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Tincan, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised their drug supply reduction efforts and WADA sensitization activities. He urged them to maintain their zeal and momentum in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
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