NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments, Makes Multiple Arrests Across Nigeria

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a major drug consignment at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, with six parcels of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, concealed inside a duvet.

The narcotics were packaged for export to the United Kingdom, weighing a total of 3.50 kilograms.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesperson, revealed in a statement on Sunday that the main suspect, Austin Balogun, had hired Sunday Adakole to ship the consignment abroad.

According to Babafemi, Balogun claimed he was paid N700,000 for the operation. However, he spent a significant portion of the money on export handling fees, with the remainder going towards securing an apartment.

In a separate operation, the NDLEA raided a hideout in the Igbo Olumo area of Ikorodu, Lagos, where they arrested two men—Joseph Adewale and Biodun Adelakun.

The raid led to the seizure of seven litres of “skuchies,” a new psychoactive substance made from black currant, cannabis, and opioids.

In addition, NDLEA operatives confiscated an array of firearms and other weapons, including three locally made double-barrelled rifles, one English-made pistol, one locally made single-barrelled rifle, and multiple rounds of ammunition.

The NDLEA’s efforts continued with a large seizure in Lagos’ Akala area of Mushin on January 19.

Authorities confiscated 47 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, and 25.46 kilograms of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, a popular recreational drug.

Meanwhile, in Ekiti State, NDLEA officers apprehended 26-year-old Adepoju Taiwo on January 23. Taiwo was found in possession of 1.950 kilograms of Canadian Loud on Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

In another operation in Kwara State on January 20, Auwal Sani, 32, was arrested in Bode Saadu. He was caught with 50,000 pills of tramadol (225mg), which weighed 36.56 kilograms.

Further operations in Kano State led to several arrests, including that of a Nigerien national, Abubakar Lami, 45, and his two accomplices, Abba Sani, 35, and Auwal Aliyu, 32.

The NDLEA seized 13.1 kilograms of skunk and 125 litres of a substance known as “suck and die,” a newly emerged drug.

Additionally, a cannabis plantation in Gefen Kasa, Dawakin Kudu, was discovered and destroyed, and Sabo Ali Muhammad, 45, was arrested in connection with the farm.

These successful raids highlight the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and the distribution of psychoactive substances across Nigeria.

The agency’s proactive approach in targeting both illicit drug consignments and illegal operations has resulted in numerous arrests and significant drug seizures, further strengthening their resolve to curb drug-related crimes in the country.