The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled several attempts to smuggle illicit drugs into the country, as various consignments of psychoactive substances were recovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, and other locations across the country.
In one operation, NDLEA agents arrested a passenger identified as Joshia Sunday who was attempting to travel with a quantity of drugs to Oman, Middle East. The agents recovered 4.80 kilograms of cannabis hidden in three winter jackets, and various quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, and Ecstasy concealed in bottles of body lotion.
In another operation, Cyril Chidiebere, a Lekki Lagos based businessman, and two of his freight agents were arrested over their involvement in the importation of 12 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.
The NDLEA said following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives arrested a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams, in Agbede, Etsako West LGA, Edo state while over 14 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and swinol were recovered from them.
In yet another operation, a female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, Isoyo Iveren Susan, was arrested for dealing in illicit drugs. Recovered from her include 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283grams of cannabis. Additionally, two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, were arrested with 43.4kg cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of Lagos.
In Katsina state, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Saadu in Katsina metropolis. Another suspect, Muhamadu Yusuf, was equally arrested with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along Kano – Katsina road.
These arrests and seizures are a clear indication of the agency’s commitment to rid the country of illicit drug activities. The NDLEA urges the public to continue to provide information that can lead to the arrest of drug dealers and smugglers, and help to safeguard the lives of Nigerians