The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has carried out a series of intelligence-driven operations across Nigeria, leading to the recovery of cocaine and other drugs worth billions of naira.
The agency’s efforts were highlighted in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, on Sunday.
In one of the major busts on August 5, 2024, NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.32 kilograms of cocaine concealed within traditional Ghanaian kente fabric at a courier firm in Lagos.
The shipment was destined for the United Kingdom. On the same day, another 10.494 kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden in heavy-duty pivot shafts heading to the United States.
The total weight of cocaine seized from these two shipments reached 12.814 kilograms.
Continuing their crackdown, NDLEA officers intercepted five additional consignments on August 9, 2024, at the same courier firm.
These shipments, headed to the US, UK, and Canada, included 517 grams of cocaine in clothing materials, various quantities of pentazocine and promethazine injections, cocodamol pills, and 297 pills of tramadol 225mg.
Additionally, 21 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 10 kilograms, were recovered from another logistics company, originating from the US and intended for delivery in Abuja.
On August 7, 2024, NDLEA operatives arrested a member of a cocaine trafficking network in the Alafia Orile, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.
The suspect was attempting to transport 9 kilograms of cocaine to Onitsha, Anambra State.
Follow-up operations led to the arrest of two more syndicate members in Nnewi and Oba, Anambra State, resulting in the seizure of a total of 4.73 kilograms of cocaine.
At the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers made a significant discovery on August 7, 2024, intercepting 532 parcels of “Loud” cannabis weighing 265.25 kilograms hidden in a Toyota Sienna bus within a container from Montreal, Canada.
Another seizure was made the next day, involving 75 parcels of the same substance weighing 37.5 kilograms in a separate container.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers, with support from Operation Farauta Sector 3, arrested a suspect on August 8, 2024, with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 291.2 kilograms.
The suspect was transporting the drugs from Edo State to Yola. Additional operations in Kano and Lagos resulted in the recovery of over 1,198 kilograms of cannabis.
On August 9, 2024, NDLEA officers, with assistance from the Nigerian Army, destroyed 1,230 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on three hectares of farmland in Kogi State, and the farm owner was apprehended.
Throughout the week, NDLEA commands nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs, targeting schools, religious centers, and communities to raise awareness about drug abuse.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their dedication and emphasized the importance of their balanced approach in reducing both drug supply and demand.
He encouraged the continued vigilance of the agency in the fight against illicit drugs across the country.
