The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has foiled attempts by drug syndicates to smuggle cocaine and loud consignments, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’ native wears in and out of Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, by some courier firms in Lagos.
He said: “A businessman, Abdulwahab Alebiosu was on July 18, 2024, arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos, residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service.
“A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits, including some drug paraphernalia, such as weighing scale and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki.
“A Mikano black truck with number plate, FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.
“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on July 19, intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan.
“The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Ogechi, who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Promise based in the South Asia country.
“Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on July 18, intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Amen, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses.
“The suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline.
“A thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of Loud weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wears.
“The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai.”
Similarly, “Not less than 4.5kg of the same substance concealed inside the door panels and boot of an imported Toyota RAV 4 vehicle was on July 14, recovered from a container marked MSDU 5656394 from Canada during a 100percent search of the container at Tincan port in Lagos.
“Two suspects: Dada Kole and Alaba Oladewusi have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old one legged man, Amadu Garba was arrested by NDLEA operatives in his house at Yawuri town, Kebbi State with six bags of cannabis weighing 67kg on July 16.
“In Abuja, two suspects: 60-year-old Ademola Elusakin and 34-year-old Nuhu Adamu were arrested by NDLEA operatives on July 15, with 30.0kg of the same psychoactive substance along Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja expressway on their way from Lagos to Nasarawa state.
“Elusakin claimed he procured the consignment from Ghana via Lagos with Keffi, Nasarawa State as his final destination, where they were to supply illegal miners operating in the area.”