US, UK, Europe-bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles, clothes seized in Lagos

● As NDLEA intercepts tramadol pills in custard containers; bursts laughing gas warehouse in VGC Lekki; recovers 11,096kgs illicit drugs in Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized substantial quantities of cocaine and opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, hidden in shoe soles and clothes.

These drugs were destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that 250 grammes of cocaine bound for Cyprus were found in custom-made shoe soles, and over five kilogrammes of opioids headed to the US and UK were concealed in clothes and household items.

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Synthetic Cannabis: In a separate operation, 440 grams of a synthetic cannabis strain known as “Loud” from Canada were intercepted at a Lagos logistics company.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA, discovering 3,000 tramadol 225mgs pills hidden in custard containers.

The suspect, Aminu Abdullahi, claimed the drugs were purchased in Onitsha and intended for sale in Abuja. Additionally, 5,429.751 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed in Ohen forest, and 300 kilograms of cannabis were seized from Uzzeba Obi camp.

In Ogun State on July 9, operatives recovered 2,865 kilogrammes of cannabis at Afami Ibese, with the suspect, Umar Ibese, evading capture.
In Borno State, a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, NDLEA seized 2,455 kilogrammes of materials for the production of the psychoactive substance Akuskura from a warehouse in Konduga town.

In Katsina State, on July 10, Sabo Sule was arrested with 47 kilogrammes of cannabis in Katsina town.

In Lekki, Lagos, NDLEA raided a warehouse in VGC, recovering 148 cartons of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers. Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure.

NDLEA’s ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign includes sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent activities included lectures at St. Louis Grammar School in Ibadan, Infant Jesus Model Secondary School in Oron, Ede High School in Osun, Government Day Secondary School in Katsina, and Rehoboth Secondary School in Anambra.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers involved in the arrests and seizures and urged them to sustain their efforts.