NDLEA seizes US, UK- bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles

NDLEA seizes US, UK- bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted significant quantities of cocaine and opioids concealed within shoe soles, clothing, and other items destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

In a recent operation, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) uncovered over 250 grams of cocaine hidden in custom-made shoe soles intended for Cyprus.

Additionally, more than five kilograms of opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, were discovered concealed in clothes and household items meant for shipment to the US and UK through courier firms in Lagos.

Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that operatives also intercepted a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, originating from Canada and destined for Lagos via a logistic company.

Furthermore, in separate operations, NDLEA operatives in Edo State intercepted a vehicle at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA, on July 10th, 2024, based on credible intelligence. During a search of the vehicle, belonging to Aminu Abdullahi, aged 32, operatives discovered 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in custard containers filled with powder. Abdullahi confessed that the drugs were purchased in Onitsha, Anambra State, and were intended for sale in Mararaba, Abuja.

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In another operation, NDLEA operatives raided the Ohen forest in Abudu, Edo State, on July 11th, where they destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis cultivated on 2.918 hectares of farmland. Four suspects were apprehended: Godday Ariye, aged 37; Friday Okafor, aged 59; Obinna Nwosu, aged 48; and Yusuf Adamu, aged 27.

Additionally, NDLEA officers recovered 300 kilograms of cannabis from the Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA during a raid on July 13th.

In Ogun State, operatives seized a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese on July 9th, while the alleged owner, Umar Ibese, remains at large.

Meanwhile, in Borno State, NDLEA operatives, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, recovered 2,455 kilograms of materials used for producing Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), from a warehouse in Konduga town on July 9th. The following day, in Katsina State, operatives arrested a 54-year-old man named Sabo Sule with 47 kilograms of cannabis in Katsina town.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, on July 8th, where they seized 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, along with 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 pieces of balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers. Suliyat Abdulsalam, a female suspect, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

NDLEA seizes US, UK- bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles