Thelma Osatohanmwen
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made substantial seizures in various operations across Lagos.
The agency confirmed the interception of 300,000 tramadol pills shipped from Pakistan and 324 bags of a potent synthetic strain of cannabis known as Canadian Loud.
The consignment of Canadian Loud, seized in the Onikan area of Lagos Island, weighed in at a substantial 111.2 kg. The seizure was part of a covert operation that led to the arrest of 42-year-old Taofeek Yusuf. He was apprehended while transporting the drugs in an unregistered Grand Caravan vehicle, according to NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
This operation followed closely on the heels of another significant arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja. NDLEA officers apprehended Godwin ThankGod, who was attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy. Found in his possession were quantities of codeine-based syrup and Rohypnol concealed in his luggage.
In another related incident, NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO import shed recovered 30,000 packs of tramadol, amounting to 300,000 pills, from a consignment that originated in Karachi, Pakistan. The shipment, carried by KLM Royal Dutch Airline, was seized following a joint examination with other security agencies.
Furthering their efforts, NDLEA operatives intercepted various quantities of tramadol and cannabis sativa concealed in the soles of sneakers destined for Oman, as well as another batch hidden in spices headed for the United Kingdom. These seizures were made at two courier firms in Lagos.
The agency’s widespread operations extended beyond Lagos. In Oyo State, a clandestine Skuchies factory was raided in Ibadan, leading to the recovery of significant amounts of cannabis sativa, tramadol, Rophynol, and produced Skuchies. Similarly, in Ondo State, NDLEA arrested four suspects with over 524.5kg of cannabis.
Additional arrests were made in Edo and Kogi States, involving substantial amounts of cannabis and methamphetamine. In Katsina State, a 24-year-old suspect was apprehended with 25.5kg of cannabis, while in Gombe State, another individual was caught with 30kg concealed in sacks of groundnut.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers for their diligence and urged them to maintain their offensive against drug trafficking while balancing drug demand reduction efforts.
