Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted illicit drugs hidden in tins of powdered milk, baby food and sound systems at Lagos airport.
Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi said in a statement in Sunday said the drugs were uncovered on Monday December 5.
” The operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport intercepted cans of powdered milk, baby food, and beverages used to conceal 3.4 kilograms of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE.
“The interception led to the arrest of a freight agent, Ewelike Chibuike Cyril who presented the consignment for export.
” In the same vein, on Thursday 8th December, the operatives uncovered parcels of cannabis weighing 6.30kgs concealed in sound systems (speakers).
“The consignment was going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea through the SAHCO export shed of the airport.
“The operatives arrested a freight agent, Joseph Obiji involved and later the following day, Friday 9th December, nabbed another agent, Mbanu Ifeanyi Andrew in a follow-up operation at ASPAMDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos,” he said.
According to him, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, also intercepted parcels of cocaine concealed in different parts of a travel bag brought into Nigeria by a Brazil-returnee, Nwadinobi Charles Uchemadu, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.
“Uchemadu was arrested on Monday, December 5 at the Lagos airport during inward clearance of passengers on the Qatar Airways flight, following the discovery of three parcels of cocaine weighing 2.70 kilograms factory-sealed in parts of his travel bag,” the statement said.
Babafemi further disclosed that operatives also visited
the Akala notorious drug hub in Mushin area of Lagos, where no fewer than 15 drug dealers, including two ladies, were arrested with 1,400kgs of cannabis sativa among other illicit substances.
” Heroin, methamphetamine, and 320 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from them during a raid of the area on Friday 9th December.
“Another raid of the popular Idumota business district of Lagos Island on Saturday 10th December led to the seizure of 35,014 pills of tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol and 21.2 litres of codeine syrup, while a targeted notorious dealer is still on the run.
“This is even as officers of the Directorate of Seaports Operations of the Agency arrested a Malian, Dembele Ousmane, on Monday 5th December with 32,400 capsules of tramadol 225mg concealed in factory packed buckets of custard, while attempting to travel to Mali via boat at Ebute-Ero Jetty in Lagos.
“In Ondo state, operatives on Tuesday 6th December stormed sharp corner, Ipele forest in Owo area of the state, where they arrested Rotimi Oyekan and Precious Aluju with cannabis weighing 903.3kgs, while another team of NDLEA officers arrested Babatunde Oluyara at Igbotako area of the state, with 168.5kgs of the same substance; 6kgs of monkey tail and various quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
” In Kebbi State, two suspects, Austine Julius and Sale Yakubu were arrested on Sunday, 4th December along Yawuri-Kebbi road in a loaded Dyna Truck with 117 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,070 kilograms concealed under bags of oranges.
“The following day, Monday 5th December, another set of two suspects: Abdullahi Bala and Ibrahim Wade were intercepted along Koko- Kebbi road in a Dyna Truck loaded with 114 bags of the same substance weighing 1,140 kilograms concealed under crates of soft drinks.
“A raid operation in Abbi town, Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State, led to the arrest of a pregnant 30-year-old dealer, Aniekem Evelyn, with 1,161kgs of C/S recovered from her warehouse,” the statement added.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commendef the officers and men of the MMIA, Seaports Operations, Ondo, Delta and Kebbi State commands for their hard work and diligence.
Marwa urged them and their compatriots across other formations to intensify their efforts until the society is rid of illicit drugs.
