Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have successfully foiled multiple attempts by drug trafficking organisations to smuggle illicit substances through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja and other parts of Nigeria. The operations led to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of large quantities of drugs including amphetamine, tramadol, and cannabis.
At the Lagos airport, two suspects linked to shipments bound for Italy were arrested. One of them, Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted while attempting to board a flight to Rome with 2698 pills of tramadol concealed inside containers of body cream. He reportedly confessed that he was promised payment in euros upon successful delivery.
In a separate incident, another suspect, Christian Agbonhese, was apprehended while trying to board a flight to Milan. A search of his luggage revealed 28470 pills of opioids hidden in winter jackets. Authorities also intercepted parcels at a courier facility containing cannabis shipped from the United States and amphetamine concealed in carton walls destined for New Zealand.
Beyond Lagos, significant seizures were recorded nationwide. In Kano, over 198 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from two suspects. In Lagos, more than 21000 bottles of codeine syrup were seized, while additional arrests were made involving thousands of bottles on a major bridge.
Further operations in Edo, Abuja, Oyo, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa states led to the recovery of massive quantities of tramadol and cannabis, along with multiple arrests. The agency also continued its drug awareness campaigns in schools and communities.
NDLEA leadership praised officers for their efforts and urged sustained commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking across the country.
Leave a comment