NDLEA stops Italy-based businesswoman from exporting drugs via Lagos airport

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled an attempt by an Italy-based businesswoman, Cynthia Akaeen, to export 9,190 tablets of various brands of tramadol weighing 6.00kg to Italy through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, made this known via a statement on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

Babefemi disclosed that Cynthia was arrested by NDLEA officers while trying to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Italy via Addis Ababa on Wednesday, December 18.

Babafemi said the Italy-based businesswoman was intercepted at the departure point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport during an outward clearance of passengers going to Italy.

“A total of 9,190 tablets of various brands of tramadol weighing 6.00kg were recovered from her. According to her, she was promised 1,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment in Italy,” he stated.

Babafemi noted that a similar attempt by an ex-convict, Olanrewaju Bada Akorede, to export a consignment of Rohypnol to South Africa through the export shed of the Lagos airport was equally frustrated by NDLEA officers at the airport.

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The NDLEA spokesman said the consignment was hidden in a cargo containing garri, shoes, men’s singlets, and other items.

He said Olanrewaju was convicted for a similar crime earlier this year following his arrest on December 12, 2023, for attempting to ship 4.90kg tramadol and 2.10kg Rohypnol to South Africa through the export shed of the Lagos airport.

Babafemi revealed that Olanrewaju was sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos with a fine option of N900,000, which he paid and was freed before returning to repeat the same crime.

While commending the officers and men of MAKIA, MMIA, Anambra, Borno, Lagos, Oyo, Enugu, and Tincan Commands of the Agency,

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), as commending the anti-narcotic officers for the arrests and seizures and urging them not to rest on their oars as they intensify their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

The Star