NDLEA Foils Multiple Drug Smuggling Attempts, Makes Major Seizures Nationwide
NDLEA Foils Multiple Drug Smuggling Attempts, Makes Major Seizures Nationwide
Largest Cocaine Seizure at Kano Airport
Operatives at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) intercepted a businessman, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus, attempting to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine weighing 6kg into Nigeria. The operation, conducted during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan via Addis Ababa on December 15, marks the largest cocaine seizure at MAKIA since its inception in 2006.
Olisaka, who claimed to be involved in import and export, was subjected to body screening, revealing the concealed cocaine pellets.
Arrests at Lagos Airport
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, an ex-convict, Olanrewaju Bada Akorede, was apprehended while attempting to export a consignment of rohypnol to South Africa. The drugs were concealed in a cargo containing gari, shoes, and clothing.
Olanrewaju, previously convicted for similar crimes in 2023, had paid a fine to secure his release but returned to the same illicit activity.
In another incident, Cynthia Akaeen, an Italy-based businesswoman, was arrested on December 18 at the Lagos airport while attempting to board a flight to Italy. NDLEA operatives recovered 9,190 tablets of tramadol weighing 6kg from her luggage. She admitted to being promised €1,000 for the delivery.
Major Raids in Anambra and Borno
In Onitsha, Anambra State, NDLEA operatives uncovered 418,330 pills of tramadol and tapentadol, along with 8,000 bottles of codeine syrup, in a warehouse during a December 17 raid.
Meanwhile, in Maiduguri, Borno State, two suspects, Ishaya Wabba and Samaila Audu, were arrested with 293,000 capsules of tramadol, a pistol, and live ammunition. Another suspect, Sanusi Abdul Hamid, was caught with 260,000 capsules of tramadol.
Other Notable Seizures
- At Tincan Island Port, Lagos, 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from a container originating from India.
- In Maiduguri, Modu Kolera was arrested with various drugs, including cannabis, tramadol, and diazepam, as well as 50 liters of the psychoactive substance “suck and die.”
- In Oyo and Enugu states, NDLEA operatives seized over 127kg of cannabis sativa in separate operations.
- At Maza-Maza in Lagos, a consignment of 32kg of ephedrine, a chemical precursor, was intercepted.
War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Activities
In addition to enforcement, the NDLEA conducted sensitization programs under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. Lectures were held at schools and communities in Adamawa, Kano, Kebbi, and other states to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Leadership Commendation
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the agency’s operatives for their dedication and urged them to remain relentless in their efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse.
The agency continues its dual strategy of supply reduction and demand reduction to combat the drug menace in Nigeria.
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