The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA ) says it has intercepted a large consignment of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2.1 billion in street value.
The agency which announced this on Sunday in a statement said the illicit drugs were seized at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, signed the statement.
He said NDLEA officers at the airport with the cooperation of other security agencies intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
According to the statement, the consignment estimated to be worth N960 million brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto, Canada to transport the drug to Nigeria.
“During his interview, he claimed that he was recruited as a mule to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of Six Million Naira.
“Also at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives intercepted a container marked “TEMU 6807401” imported from India enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
“During a joint examination of the container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, 1,750 cartons of codeine weighing 26,250kg, containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid worth one billion , two hundred and twenty five million naira in street value were discovered.
“Similarity, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada expressway while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa State.
“In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa State nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
“Two suspects : Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were also arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti State where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland.
“76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a 29 year old Nigerien, Suleman Audu in Katsina State when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road,” the statement said.
Babafemi said commands and formations of the anti – drug agency across the country also intensified continued their War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others with equal vigour during the week under review.
” These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra State; students and teachers of All Saints Church School, Jericho Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State; students of Western Marine College, Ajido, Badagry, Lagos and students of Government Girls Secondary School, Buden Gari, Bichi, Kano State.
Reacting, the Chairman / CEO of NDLEA, retired Brig. – Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended personnel for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa said their efforts and those of their compatriots across the country have in no small measure reduced access to and availability of illicit substances in Nigerian communities.
He charged them to remain vigilant at all times, charging them to sustain their collaborations with other agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility. (vitalnewsngr.com)
