The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted over 64,863.5 kilogram consignments of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos and in Imo State.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosure via a statement issued on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Babafemi noted that the NDLEA operatives at the Apapa seaport, after a credible intelligence on Wednesday, July 12, intercepted two containers marked MSKU 7626856 and MSKU 7689448 suspected to contain cartons of laughing gas and plastic pressure release nozzles imported from China.
He added: “As a result, a joint examination of the containers was carried out by NDLEA officers, men of the Customs Service, and other stakeholders the following day, Thursday 13th July.
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“During the search of the two containers, a total of 522 cartons of Nitrous Oxide, containing 16,366 packages weighing 64,852kgs were recovered along with the paraphernalia for recreational use.”
The spokesman of the anti-drug agency stated that the importer of the consignment, 30-year-old Stephen Eze, and his agent, Michael Chukwuma, were thereafter arrested and detained for further investigation.
Babafemi disclosed that the NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway in Imo State, on Thursday, July 13, intercepted three cartons containing 18 canisters of laughing gas weighing 11.5kg heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said a swift follow-up operation was conducted in the stadium road area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, leading to the arrest of the owner of the shipment, 24-year-old Tonye Kalio.
Commending the anti-narcotics officers for being pro-active and swift, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said the clampdown on illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide will continue nationwide to protect young Nigerians from the devastating effects of abusing the substance and in the overall interest of public health.
Marwa also commended the cooperation of other security agencies and stakeholders toward achieving the set objective.
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