Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted over 649,300 capsules of Tramadol 225mg and 809,850 Euros cash, among other consignments from Pakistan, Austria and Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The operatives also blocked various quantities of heroin and other illicit drugs from being exported to the United States, United Kingdom (UK) and Canada.
Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, yesterday, said anti-narcotics officers seized 649,300 capsules of Tramadol 225mg weighing 460.95kg imported from Pakistan via Addis Ababa through Ethiopian Airline on Wednesday, February 16, at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) cargo warehouse at Lagos airport.
According to him, a suspect, Nwadu Ekene Christian, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
He said: “On the same day, a female passenger, Ms. Ayeki Happy, who arrived at the airport from Italy on Turkish Airline flight was arrested with 69,850 Euros cash concealed in her luggage.
“This was four days after another lady, Precious Idahagbon was arrested with 740,000 Euros cash hidden in her luggage and undeclared upon her arrival at the airport from Vienna, Austria via Istanbul, Turkey. Both cash seizures are currently under investigation to establish if they are proceeds of the drug business.
“At the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed of the airport, operatives seized a consignment of 131 parcels of Cannabis concealed in packages of black soap (Dudu-Osun), during outward clearance of cargo going to the UK.
“This is as another consignment presented for export to Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) at SAHCO shed was also recovered after 30 parcels of Cannabis hidden in cartons of cornflakes were discovered in it.
“Not less than 6.5kg of Heroin, Khat and Oxycodone packaged for export to United States of America (USA), and Canada were seized at a major courier company in Lagos by operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations (DOGI). The drugs were concealed in shoes, and carton walls.
“In Kano, a 34-year-old Nasiru Abdulrahman was arrested with 476kg of Cannabis at Kwanar Dan Gora, Kiru Local Council of the state on Friday, February 25, while in Adamawa, 4,000 tablets of Tramadol 225mg were seized from Abdulmuminu Abubakar, 24, who was arrested at Gidan Madara, Mubi North Local Council on Tuesday, February 22, while travelling on a motorcycle to deliver the drugs in Bukula, Cameroon Republic.
“He claimed another suspect, Fahad Mohammed, 19, gave the consignment to him. Fahad was later arrested in a follow-up operation at his home in Kasuwan Borkono Area of Mubi town.
“In Abuja, two consignments were intercepted from transport vehicles in the Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While the first contained 12kg Cannabis, the second had 356kg of the same substance. A follow-up operation in Kaduna led to the arrest of the owner of the 356kg Cannabis, Ayomide Adewale, 29.”
MEANWHILE, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Adamawa and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures.
He charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify offensive action against all drug cartels in every part of Nigeria.
