ASHENEWS reports that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, concealed in shoes, clothes, and other items destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus in Lagos.
Among the notable seizures, 250 grams of cocaine bound for Cyprus were hidden in the soles of custom-made shoes, while over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were found concealed in clothes and household items intended for shipment through courier firms in Lagos.
Additionally, 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis arriving from Canada to Lagos, was intercepted by operatives at a logistics company.
Raids and seizures across states
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Edo State
On Wednesday, 10th July 2024, NDLEA operatives in Edo state intercepted a vehicle at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA. The luggage of an occupant, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, contained custard containers filled with 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg.
Abdullahi claimed he bought the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra state, and was transporting them to Mararaba, Abuja for sale.
In another operation on Thursday, 11th July, operatives raided Ohen forest, Abudu, destroying 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmland. Four suspects were arrested: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27.
Furthermore, 300 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA during a raid on Saturday, 13th July.
Ogun State
On Tuesday, 9th July, operatives recovered 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese. The suspected owner, Umar Ibese, remains at large.
Borno State
On Tuesday, 9th July, 2,455 kilograms of materials for producing Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA. This operation was conducted jointly with the Nigerian Army.
Katsina State
On Wednesday, 10th July, operatives arrested a 54-year-old man, Sabo Sule, with 47kg of cannabis in Katsina town.
Lagos State
On Monday, 8th July, operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, recovering 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide (laughing gas), 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 pieces of balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Ongoing sensitization efforts
The NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities across schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent efforts included lectures at: St. Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; Ede High School, Ede, Osun state; Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina state and Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state.
Commendations and charge
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), for their efforts in arrests and seizures.
He highlighted the balance between drug supply reduction and WADA sensitization activities, urging continued efforts to maintain the current momentum.
