NDLEA seizes US, UK-bound drug in automobile parts, cloths

During a nationwide operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency found cocaine worth billions of naira hidden in Ghanaian fabric, heavy-duty car pivot shafts, Kente, and other things.

This was announced in a statement posted on the organization's website on Sunday and signed by Femi Babafemi, the director of advocacy and media for the organisation.
The agency revealed that it also discovered 10.494 kg of cocaine from the same logistics company and intercepted 2.32 kg of cocaine at a Lagos courier business.

The announcement said, "Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have discovered multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine that was hidden in heavy-duty car pivot shafts and Ghanaian cloth, Kente, among other things, in a nationwide intelligence-led operation.

10.494 kg of the same class A drug buried in heavy duty pivot shafts heading to the United States were recovered at the same logistics company after the NDLEA sniffer dogs fished out the automobile spare parts containing the illicit drug. This brings the total weight of cocaine seized in the two shipments to 12.814 kg. "On Monday, August 5, 2024, 2.32 kg of cocaine concealed in Ghanaian traditional kente materials going to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos."

The FDA reported that additional seizures included 517 grammes of cocaine, injections of pentazocine and promethazine, pills of cocodamol, and pills of tramadol.

Additionally, the organisation found 21 packages containing 10 kg of the synthetic cannabis strain Loud.

In a similar vein, five further consignments bound for the US, UK, and Canada were also intercepted at the courier company in Lagos on Friday, August 9, 2024, the statement stated. They contain 297 tramadol 225 mg pills destined to Canada, 517 grammes of cocaine hidden in clothing materials, and various amounts of promethazine, cocodamol, and pentazocine injections going to the UK.

"NDLEA operatives seized 21 packages of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain weighing 10 kg that was imported from the US and intended for delivery in Abuja, from a different logistics company in Lagos."

In a separate operation, the NDLEA apprehended Obiora Joseph Agudosi, a member of a cocaine trafficking network, along with nine kilogrammes of cocaine.

Two other participants in a cocaine gang situated in Nnewi and Oba town, Anambra State, were arrested with 2.865kg and 1.748kg of cocaine, respectively.
"Ameachi Okoro, 39, was arrested while trying to pick his own 1.117kg cocaine at Oba town, while the bus driver, Harrison Mbachu, 44, was arrested at Benin tollgate with a total of 2.865kg cocaine." "Izuchkwu Arinze, 40, was picked at Nnewi town while attempting to collect his own consignment of 1.748kg cocaine and 514 grammes sodium bicarbonate," the statement continued.

At Tincan Seaport in Lagos, the authorities also seized 75 shipments worth 37.5 kg and 532 bundles weighing 265.25 kg of Loud.
In the meantime, 532 packages of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain weighing 265.25 kg, were found by NDLEA agents at Tincan Seaport Lagos on Wednesday, August 7. The packets were found in a black Toyota Sienna bus, one of three cars in a container marked MSMU 6029570 coming from Montreal, Canada.
"The seizure was made while conducting a 100% cooperative examination with Customs Service agents and other interested parties. The operatives reported the capture of 75 shipments containing 37.5 kg of the same drug in a container bearing the Canadian marking FSCU-9274613 on Thursday, August 8.

425 compacted cannabis sativa blocks weighing 291.200 kg were found in Adamawa State.

"On Thursday, August 8, NDLEA agents in Adamawa State, assisted by members of Operation Farauta Sector 3, Mayo Belwa, apprehended Joseph Peter, 49, after finding 425 compressed cannabis sativa blocks, totalling 291.200 kg, in his Toyota Camry vehicle registered as Lagos KSF 381 HM. He stated that he was travelling from Edo State to Yola, Adamawa State, to deliver the consignment.

Furthermore, 1,169 kg of cannabis were found in Lagos, and 1,230.00kg of cannabis was destroyed in Kogi Sate.
"On Tuesday, August 6, two suspects, Adekunle Sunday Adebayo, 50, and Yahaya Mamuda, 35, were apprehended in the Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano with 29.5 kg of cannabis. On Sunday, August 4, NDLEA agents in Lagos retrieved 1,169 kg of the same psychoactive substance from a bus along Orchid road, Ajah.

Among the people detained by the NDLEA were Danjuma Maji, the proprietor of the cannabis farm.

"On Friday, August 9, NDLEA officers supported by men of the Nigerian Army destroyed no less than 1,230.00kg of cannabis on three hectares of farmland at Ikeje forest, Edimogo village, Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state. The owner, Danjuma Maji, 40, was arrested," the statement stated.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman of the NDLEA, praised the officers for their efforts and urged them to continue their fight against drug cartels.