The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine hidden inside a local mortar and a specially modified backpack that were being prepared for shipment to China and Italy through a logistics company in Lagos.
The agency also announced the arrest of four suspects in separate anti-drug operations carried out across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said operatives of the agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigations made the seizure on Thursday.
According to him, 250 grammes of cocaine had been factory-fitted into the base of a local mortar packaged for export to China, while another 500 grammes was concealed in the false bottom of a backpack destined for Italy.
Suspect arrested in Port Harcourt
Babafemi said operatives in Rivers State arrested a 38-year-old suspected drug dealer, Ugo Gift Okonkwo, at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, following intelligence reports.
He stated that the suspect was found with quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup at the time of his arrest on Sunday, July 26.
Codeine shipment intercepted in Onitsha
In Anambra State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck with registration number XK 131 BDG at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha on July 27.
The agency recovered 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 3,960 kilogrammes from the vehicle, while the driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested.
Skunk seized in Delta and Nasarawa
Babafemi added that operatives also intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KUJ 26 DV along the Kwale–Ughelli Expressway in Delta State on July 26.
A total of 331.84 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from the vehicle.
In Nasarawa State, NDLEA officers arrested Joseph Nwaeke, 64, on July 28 at Asso Angwan Muazu in the Karu area. He was allegedly found with 68 kilogrammes of skunk and 29 grammes of methamphetamine.
Tramadol recovered in Zamfara
Along the Zaria–Gusau Highway in Zamfara State, operatives intercepted Sani Umar, 27, on July 27 with 7,400 pills of tramadol 225mg.
The agency said the drugs were suspected to be intended for supply to criminal elements.
NDLEA continues anti-drug campaign
Babafemi said NDLEA commands nationwide have continued the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through awareness and sensitisation programmes in schools, communities, places of worship and motor parks.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the operations and urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s dual strategy of reducing both drug supply and drug demand.
