NDLEA intercepts U.S., UK-bound drugs hidden in baby food tins, clothes

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and clothes going to the United States and United Kingdom at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier firm in Lagos State.

No fewer than 36 parcels of a strong strain of cannabis concealed in six cartons of tins of branded Nestle Cerelac baby food, with six containers in each package, were recovered at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this via a statement on Sunday, August 4, said the psychotropic substance has a total weight of 18.50 kilograms.

Babafemi stated that a freight agent, Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, who presented the consignment for export to the UK was promptly arrested, noting that a follow-up operation to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, August 3, led to the arrest of the sender of the cargo, Bello Motunrayo Folu, at her No. 20 Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of the capital.

According to him, the Cerelac tins were all factory-sealed at the top while they tampered with the bottom through which they put the substances covered with loose quantities of the infant cereal meal to prevent discovery, an effort that ended in futility as NDLEA officers were able to foil the attempt.

The NDLEA spokesperson further disclosed that five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances, such as promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine concealed in cloths and other items meant for export to the U.S. and UK were equally interrupted by the anti-narcotic operatives in Lagos.

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Babafemi said one of the shipments containing 820grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was going to the United States, while the remaining four parcels consisting of over two kilograms of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly, and NPS were heading to the UK.

He noted that they were all intercepted at a logistics company in Lagos on Monday, July 29.

Commending the anti-narcotic officers for the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities and charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the zeal and tempo.

The Star