NDLEA nabs 70-yr-old grandpa, Nigerien, 3 others as agency intercepts N2.1b drugs in Ekiti, Lagos, P’Harcourt
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over ₦2.18billion at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, and Ekiti.
Femi Babafemi, Spokesman of the Agency, who confirmed the operation, said the May 31 Lagos airport seizure was carried out by NDLEA officers in collaboration with other security agencies.
He added that the large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases.
“The suitcases contained 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands,” Babafemi said.
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“The consignment estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, which was 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 by the security operatives 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.
“At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives on Monday 27th May 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 N1,225,000,000, in street value were discovered.
Furthermore, he said, “In Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada expressway on Friday 31st May while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state.
“In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29 nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
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“Two suspects, Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were 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 on Thursday 30th May.
“In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road on Wednesday 29th May.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, lauded the operatives for the arrests and seizures.
Noting that they had contributed to reducing access to and availability of illicit substances in Nigerian communities, he charged them to remain vigilant at all times and continue their collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders in carrying out their mandate.
