NDLEA Intercepts US, UK, Europe-bound Cocaine, Opioids

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, among others, concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a statement that while no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos.

Also, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, coming from Canada to Lagos was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, following credible intelligence on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA.

The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers, where 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg were buried in the custard powder.

In his statement, the suspect claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra State, and he was taking them to the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to sell.

In another operation, operatives on Thursday, July 11, raided the Ohen forest, Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands where four suspects: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27, were arrested.

Similarly, 300 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA when NDLEA officers raided the location on Saturday, July 13.

In Ogun State, operatives on Tuesday, July 9, recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese, while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese, is currently at large.

At least 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, Borno State on Tuesday, July 9, when NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Army raided the area.