The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the agency also carried out major operations across several states, including the destruction of 65,000 kilograms of skunk in Delta forests, the recovery of 1,989 rounds of military-grade ammunition hidden in garri in Kaduna, and the arrest of a man producing drug-laced cakes and cookies in Abuja.
Babafemi said operatives in Lagos intercepted two shipments at a courier company on Friday, May 15, during inspection of parcels heading to the UK and Australia.
“A total of 170 grams of cocaine was found sealed in cellophane parcels and concealed in the walls of a carton of clothing bound for Australia,” the statement reads.
“In another shipment headed to the United Kingdom, officers recovered 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection.”
He added that NDLEA operatives in Delta state destroyed large cannabis farms during coordinated raids in Ukwuani and Ughelli north LGAs.
“At Ejeonu village in Ukwuani LGA, officers destroyed 27,500 kilograms of skunk on 11 hectares of farmland and recovered 22.9 kilograms of the substance. A 52-year-old suspect, Ifeanyichukwu Peter, was later arrested in a follow-up operation in Obiaruku,” he said.
“In Orogun village, Ughelli North LGA, a further 37,500 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 15 hectares of farmland, with 55.4 kilograms recovered and a 30-year-old suspect, Godwin Vincent Osadera, arrested.
“This brings the total quantity of skunk destroyed in the two Delta operations to 65,000 kilograms.”
The NDLEA spokesperson said operatives in Kaduna recovered 361 kilograms of skunk during a raid in the Dan Magaji area of Zaria and arrested a suspect, Husaini Suleiman, 42.
“In a separate operation along the Abuja–Kaduna highway on Tuesday, May 12, officers intercepted 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm ammunition concealed in garri. A 35-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Hassan, was arrested, and both him and the exhibit have been transferred to another security agency for further investigation,” he added.
“In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operatives arrested a 29-year-old businessman, Ogadi Peter, who allegedly produced drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social events.
“Acting on intelligence, he was arrested at his home in the Life Camp area of Abuja, where officers recovered 800 grams of skunk and 2.7 kilograms of drug-laced cookies.
“In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives recovered 181 kilograms of skunk from a suspect, Aliyu Sani, during a raid in the Ogere area on Wednesday, May 13.
“In Taraba state, a suspect, Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa, 27, was arrested along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari LGA with 105,850 pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.
“In Oyo state, two suspects — Adeleke Olamide Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25 — were arrested in connection with 99 litres of skuchies seized at Challenge II, Saki town.
“In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,388.4175 kilograms of skunk on two farms during a raid in Ago forest, Orhionmwon LGA.
“In Kano state, officers recovered 1.2 kilograms of tramaking 225mg concealed in a 25-litre jerrycan of palm oil at Kofar Ruwa motor park following intelligence. A suspect, Aminu Isa, 35, was also arrested at Sabuwar Sharada with 30.5 kilograms of skunk.”
