Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Administration (NDLEA) says that series of operations conducted in several states across the country resulted in significant seizures of cannabis and cocaine, as well as several arrests.
Over 3 tonnes of narcotics were seized in Nigeria in a single week during the operations carried out in several states, the National Drug Law Enforcement Administration (NDLEA) said on Sunday.
According to the NDLEA, a 30-year-old Nigerian businessman residing in Italy, identified as Joseph Cyril, was arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu after ingesting 98 capsules of cocaine weighing a total of 1.51 kg as he was about to board a flight to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.
The investigation revealed that the suspect arrived from Italy on July 13 and swallowed the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before traveling to Enugu.
He reportedly said that he had agreed to transport the cocaine for €3,500 to finance his move to Germany.
The agency also reported thwarting attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Europe.
In Lagos, 1.2 kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia were intercepted at a courier company, while 500 grammes hidden in a false bottom of a backpack bound for Italy were seized at another logistics company.
A shipment of 2.3 kg of “Loud” synthetic cannabis from the United States was also intercepted.
In Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria, the NDLEA agents seized 1,633 kg of cannabis concealed in rice husk bags aboard a truck travelling on the Akure-Ilesha highway and arrested two suspects, while another operation in a forest in Ita Ogbolu resulted in the recovery of an additional 147 kg.
In Oyo also in southwestern Nigeria, a drug warehouse located in the village of Elebure, in the Orire Local Government Area, was raided, leading to the seizure of 731.03 kg of cannabis and the arrest of a 57-year-old woman.
In Edo State in southern Nigeria, 604.5 kg of cannabis packaged in 65 bags were discovered during a joint operation with the army.
In Abia State in southeastern Nigeria, a drug dealer was arrested with 7 kg of cannabis, while in Badagry in Lagos State, a trafficker wanted for three months was apprehended with 88.5 kg of cannabis.
The NDLEA also announced the discovery of 309.4 kg of cannabis-infused biscuits and confectionery in a 40-foot container inspected at the port of Tincan in Lagos, an operation conducted jointly with customs and other security agencies.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
According to the statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the units involved in the operations and urged them to continue their anti-narcotics efforts, while strengthening awareness campaigns in schools, places of worship, businesses and communities across the country.
AC/Sf/fss/gik/APA