National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled attempt by some drug syndicates to smuggle in and out of Nigeria consignments of Cocaine and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’ native wears.
The consignments were intercepted by operatives of the agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), and some courier firms in Lagos, following the seizure of the illicit shipments and arrests of suspects linked to them.
This was disclosed on Sunday, 21st July, 2024 by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in Abuja adding that a businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu was on Thursday 18th July, 2024 arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of Chess Boards, Scrabbles, Checkers, and Poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service.
A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as, weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki.
A Mikano black truck with registration number: FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday, 19th July intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan.
The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise based in the South Asia country.
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Tincan, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Kaduna, Jigawa, Osun, Yobe, Plateau, Kogi, Imo and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated.
He urged them not to rest on their oars but continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
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