Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a major sweep against drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a series of high-value drug consignments disguised within shoe soles and hair attachments, destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.
According to a statement today by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the successful operations, spanning multiple locations including Lagos seaports and courier companies, highlight the agency's intensified efforts to stem the flow of illicit drugs in Nigeria.
On October 12, 2024, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, seized 2,118 tramadol pills hidden within the soles of 13 pairs of shoes bound for Cyprus. A subsequent follow-up operation led to the arrest of the shipment's sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna, in Enugu on October 24. During the raid, NDLEA operatives confiscated an additional 380 tramadol tablets, N968,880 in cash, and a Toyota Avalon.
The agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) also intercepted 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injection, as well as 1.69kg of cannabis and tramadol tablets, which were similarly concealed within hair attachments and shoe soles. These consignments were intended for delivery to the US, UK, and Oman, according to the NDLEA.
In another significant find, the NDLEA uncovered a cache of 26.25 million tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies at Tincan and Onne ports between October 22 and 23. These drugs, valued at N16.6 billion on the street, were part of a containerized shipment flagged for inspection. Additionally, 10 million tablets of Toradol Benzhexol, 28 drums of methamphetamine weighing 700kg, and 56 parcels of "Loud" cannabis (weighing 28kg) were seized. A suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, was arrested in connection with the cannabis shipment, and a N10 million bribe allegedly offered to NDLEA officers to secure his release is being held as evidence.
Further intensifying its crackdown, the NDLEA raided the Igbo-Igunuko shrine near Alfa Beach, Ajah, Lagos, where officers recovered 2,760kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis on October 25. Two suspects, Gbenga and Sunday Abiodun, were apprehended at the shrine, while a third suspect, Ademola Oyelakin, was arrested on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 770kg of the same substance. On the same day, NDLEA agents uncovered an underground storage facility at the residence of Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi in Lekki Phase 1. The storage, concealed beneath a padlocked iron slate and covered with a rug and mattress, held 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, rohypnol, and diazepam, along with 64 bottles of codeine syrup.
The NDLEA also extended its operations to other states. In Plateau, Fadan Bindom, 39, was arrested at Pilgani village with 65.85kg of cannabis and 18 grams of tramadol, while another suspect, Sunday Agbata, 42, was detained in Jos South with over 5,830 tablets and ampoules of various controlled substances. In Abuja, Umar Muhammed, a major cannabis distributor, was arrested on October 21, following the seizure of a 198.5kg consignment at Wuse market park. In Edo State, operatives seized 640kg of cannabis camouflaged within bags of fresh vegetables and detained a suspect, Austin Oruamen, while in Osun, Adereti Kazeem was found with 133kg of cannabis.
These operations coincide with NDLEA's nationwide sensitization under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) program. Educational outreach activities were conducted in schools and communities across several states, including Sokoto, Anambra, Oyo, Katsina, and Rivers. Addressing the success of these operations, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their dedication and emphasized the agency's balanced focus on reducing both drug supply and demand.
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