The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids concealed in shoe soles intended for shipment out of the country.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, reported that the seized opioids in Lagos included tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, among others.
“In Lagos, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) discovered no less than 250 grams of cocaine concealed in the soles of custom-made shoes bound for Cyprus. Additionally, over five kilograms of opioids destined for the US and UK were found hidden in clothes and other household items intended for shipment through various courier firms,” Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday.
The NDLEA also intercepted a consignment of 440 grams of “loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis from Canada, at a logistics company.
On July 8, operatives raided a warehouse in Lekki’s VGC, Lagos, seizing 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 pieces of balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers, among other items. Suliyat Abdulsalam, a female suspect, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
**INTERCEPTIONS IN EDO, OGUN, BORNO, AND KATSINA**
Babafemi also detailed other significant seizures, including an incident in Edo State where NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA, based on credible intelligence.
“Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was found with custard containers filled with 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden within the custard powder,” the statement said. Abdullahi claimed the drugs were purchased in Onitsha, Anambra State, and were intended for sale in the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The arrest occurred on July 10.
The following day, NDLEA operatives raided the Ohen forest in Edo, destroying 5,429.751 kilograms of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmland. Four suspects — Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27 — were arrested.
In Ogun State, NDLEA officials recovered 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese on July 9. The suspected owner, Umar Ibese, is currently at large.
In a joint operation with the army on July 9, NDLEA operatives recovered at least 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, Borno.
Source: cable