NDLEA seizes hard drugs in Lagos, Abuja, others

During interdiction operations last week, agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) found 5,527.15 kilograms of methamphetamine and cannabis sativa as well as 132,090 tramadol tablets and 2,000 bottles of codeine in five states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A pregnant woman and a 60-year-old grandmother were also among those detained.

This is stated in the report that the agency's spokesman, Femi Babafemi, released on Sunday.

The grandmother, Mrs. Ibinosun Sandra Esther, was reportedly detained in Ibadan, Oyo state as part of a follow-up operation after 5.5 kilograms of loud cannabis imported from South Africa was found.

The package, which she said was brought to her by her daughter, was hidden behind two enormous speakers and arrived as part of a combined shipment on an Air Peace flight at the NAHCO import yard of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

In a related development, NDLEA agents also detained 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine on Saturday, November 26, hidden within custard jars packed with food and cosmetics aboard a Qatar Airways aircraft to Brazil via Doha.

Both the cargo agent Salako Omolara Fausat, who carried the suitcase with the illegal substance to the airport, and Anyanwu Christian, a planned passenger for Brazil, were quickly taken into custody.

Another attempt by a freight agent, Adebisi Aina Hafsat, to export 3,000 tramadol tablets disguised as motor spare parts to Banjul, Gambia through the NAHCO export shed was also foiled by agents who seized the shipment and detained her on Monday, November 28. A follow-up operation to the Ebute-Meta neighbourhood of Lagos the next day resulted in the detention of the real owner, Afam Chibuke Stanley, Following this, 100,000 200mg Royal brand tramadol tablets with a gross weight of 68.9 kilos were discovered at the SAHCO import shed after being smuggled from Karachi, Pakistan aboard Ethiopian Airlines.

In Rivers state, NDLEA agents also detained Kate Ibinabo, 29, who was pregnant and in possession of 34.4 kg of cannabis sativa on Saturday in the Okrika district of the state.

Ibinabo, who was in her third pregnancy, was nonetheless given administrative bail until after she gives birth and returns for her trial.

Source