Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in female sanitary pads and hair cream containers at three courier firms in Lagos. The consignments were en route to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus.
In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi detailed the seizures. At one logistics company, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) recovered 30 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.1 kilograms hidden in hair cream containers bound for Ireland. Another consignment of 24 parcels of cocaine weighing 862 grams, also concealed in hair cream containers and destined for the UK, was intercepted at the same company last Friday.
Further investigations led to the seizure of 525 pills of tramadol (225mg) and ecstasy (MDMA) hidden in sanitary pads heading to Cyprus. Additionally, 200 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections were found concealed in food items and herbs bound for London.
Babafemi also disclosed that 550,000 pills of tramadol were intercepted at Port Harcourt International Airport during a joint operation with the Nigerian Customs Service. A suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
In a separate operation in Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the Nigerian Army, raided three camps in the Ise-Ekiti forest reserve, destroying over 100,000 kilograms of cannabis cultivated across 51 hectares of farmland.
Additional arrests and seizures were reported across various states, including Kaduna, Jigawa, Kogi, and Osun. Suspects were apprehended with significant quantities of cannabis, tramadol, and other illegal substances.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their diligence and urged them to continue their efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse across the nation.
