The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and clothes destined for the United States and United Kingdom.
The seizures occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos.
On July 31, 2024, at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport, NDLEA officers recovered 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis hidden in six cartons of Nestle Cerelac baby food tins. Each package contained six containers, totaling 18.50 kilograms of the psychotropic substance.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, the consignment, intended for export to the UK, led to the arrest of freight agent Salaudeen Suliat Abiola and a follow-up operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 3, resulted in the apprehension of Bello Motunrayo Folu, the sender of the cargo, at her residence in Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of Ibadan.
The cleverly concealed drugs, tampered at the bottom of factory-sealed tins, were discovered by vigilant NDLEA officers who foiled the attempt.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted five shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances hidden in clothes and other items destined for the US and UK. On July 29, a logistics company in Lagos was found with 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections heading to the US, and over two kilograms of opioids, including tramadol, molly, and NPS, bound for the UK.
On August 2, at the Tincan port in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada. The total weight of the seized consignments was 38.5 kilograms. Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday, 34, and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, were arrested.
In other raids, Isiagu Sunday was apprehended in Mushin, Lagos, on August 1 with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,070 tablets of Molly. In Ondo State, 50 bags of cannabis weighing 520 kilograms were found in a bush at Isuada, Owo council area, and five suspects were arrested in connection with 42 kilograms of cannabis in Itaogbolu forest.
In Edo State, 22.5 bags of cannabis weighing 220 kilograms were recovered from the Egbeta community, Ovia North East area, and a suspect, Osayede Aghoma, was arrested. Another suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was caught with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 19.2 kilograms on the Okene-Lokoja highway.
Additionally, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men involved in these operations. He praised their efforts in drug supply reduction and WADA sensitization and urged them to maintain their zeal and dedication.
Furthermore, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities, educating schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the country. These efforts included lectures and advocacy visits in Katsina, Delta, Anambra, and Ondo states.
