The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovers a significant stash of hard drugs in a shrine in Lagos. They also intercepted opioids concealed in shoe soles, destined for the UK and US.
On October 12, 2024, operatives seized 2,118 pills of tramadol hidden in the soles of 13 pairs of shoes at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The shipment was heading to Cyprus. Following up, officers found an additional 380 tablets at the sender’s home in Enugu on October 24.
According Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s spokesman, authorities arrested Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna and recovered N968,880 from him.
On the same day, NDLEA intercepted other dangerous drugs at three courier firms. This included 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine, along with 1.690kg of cannabis and tramadol concealed in hair attachments and shoe soles. These were US, UK, and Oman-bound, Medialord gathered.
From Tincan and PH ports, N17bn worth pills
Between October 22 and 23, NDLEA operatives inspected containers at Tincan and Port Harcourt ports. They uncovered 26,250,000 pills of tramadol and 508,400 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at N16.6 billion. The operation revealed additional drugs, including 10 million tablets of Toradol and 28 drums of methamphetamine weighing 700kg. A suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, was arrested for cannabis trafficking. NDLEA officers also seized a N10 million bribe intended to free him.
On October 25, NDLEA raided the Igbo-Igunuko shrine at Alfa Beach in Ajah. They recovered 2,760kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis and arrested suspects Gbenga and Sunday Abiodun. That same day, Ademola Oyelakin was arrested with 770kg of cannabis along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
NDLEA uncovers underground storage in Lekki
In Lekki, officers uncovered an underground storage at Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi’s home. They recovered 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, rohypnol, and diazepam, along with 64 bottles of codeine syrup. Abdullahi had hidden the drugs beneath a padlocked iron slate.
NDLEA operations extended beyond Lagos. In Plateau, operatives allegedly arrested Fadan Bindom with 65.85kg of cannabis. They also caught Sunday Agbata with over 5,800 tablets of various drugs in Jos, Babafemi said. In Edo state, operatives seized 640kg of cannabis concealed in fresh vegetables and arrested Austin Oruamen. The officials also reportedly caught another suspect, Adereti Kazeem, with 133kg of cannabis in Osun.
NDLEA remains committed to its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), Babafemi said. He added that they will continue conducting sensitization activities nationwide in schools and communities.
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