NDLEA intercepts Australia-bound cocaine hidden in face cream bottles

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330 grams from a cargo going to Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Babafemi noted that the illicit drugs concealed around the body of face cream containers were intercepted by the officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) in NDLEA.

Babafemi revealed that the anti-narcotic officers also seized a 40ft trailer load of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,217.6 kilograms while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station at Kagini in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for onward distribution to some northern states.

He said the intelligence-led operation, which occurred at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, led to the seizure of not only the large illicit consignment but also the trailer and six vehicles – Toyota Van, Toyota Camry car, Toyota Sienna bus, JAC 4-wheel-drive Hilux truck, Toyota Corolla car, and a Vento Passat car – as well as the arrest of a suspect, 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond.

The NDLEA spokesman said the consignment was loaded into the trailer at Uzebba in Owan Local Government Area of Edo State.

Babafemi disclosed that the NDLEA officers, in another raid in Abuja, arrested two suspects, 42-year-old Anthony Nnamdi and 27-year-old Abba Ali.

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He stated that the suspects were apprehended at Nyanya in Abuja where a combined 1.398kg cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine were recovered from them.

Babafemi further revealed that 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than N1,190,168,200 in street value were intercepted in two containers watch-listed by the NDLEA following processed intelligence.

“The illicit consignments were discovered during joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Customs and other security agencies on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State,” he added.

The NDLEA spokesperson stated that the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha Beach in Lagos, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo), was arrested after over three months of manhunt.

Babafemi disclosed that 2,760kg skunk was recovered from the shrine in October 2024, adding that two of the suspect’s accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court.

The Star