NDLEA seizes UK, Australia-bound drugs hidden in body cream containers

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by some suspected drug trafficking syndicates to export 2.928kg cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol 225mg concealed in body cream containers and pieces of artwork to Australia, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom through some courier companies in Lagos State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Babafemi said the attempts to export the illicit drugs were thwarted by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) on Monday, October 28.

He stated that the NDLEA operatives also intercepted 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225mg worth N525,000,000 in a targeted and watch-listed container from India during a joint examination with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday, October 29.

Babafemi added that a notorious drug dealer, Usman Abba (alias Timaya), who has been on the watchlist of the Katsina State Command of the NDLEA was on Wednesday, October 30, arrested at Liberty Hotel in Kofar Kaura with consignments of Arizona, a strain of cannabis.

Babafemi noted that the NDLEA operatives also arrested a 31-year-old suspect, Augustine Dike, with 50.3 grams of methamphetamine at Quarisa Hotel in the Jimeta area of Adamawa State on Wednesday.

NDLEA seizes N4.4bn cocaine at Lagos airport, grills 30 suspects

The NDLEA spokesman said a 24-year-old suspect, Mujahid Hamisu, was apprehended with 147,000 pills of tramadol concealed in black nylon bags containing plumbing materials along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway in Abuja on his way from Onitsha, Anambra State, on Saturday, November 2.

He said the anti-drug agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers, and communities in the past week.

Babafemi listed the activities to include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Sanganare, Adamawa State; students of College of Arts and Islamic Studies, Tungan Magajiya, Niger State; students and staff of Regina Catholic International College, Obehie, Abia State; students and teachers of Akinmorin Grammar School, Oyo, Oyo State; and students and teachers of Redeemer’s International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; among others.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), as applauding the anti-narcotic officers across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitisation lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.

The Star