NDLEA intercepts 1.1m Tramadol tabs in Kaduna, others in Lagos, Kano

…Uncovers 442 parcels of Crystal Meth in heads of smoked fish

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had intercepted 1.1 million tablets of Tramadol (225mg and 100mg) in Kaduna state.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi, who said that three suspects were arrested in connection with the drugs seized in Zaria, added that the drugs weighed 38.3kg.

He named the suspects as Saifullahi Sani, Salisu Nafi’u and Abdulrazaq Mamman.

Meanwhile, anti-narcotic officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu have arrested a 50-year old man, Mgbeobuna Eberechukwu, for ingesting 77 pellets of cocaine.

Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested on August 6, following his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia onboard an Ethiopian airline flight.

He said that the suspect, who hailed from Idemili South LGA, Anambra, passed out the 77 wraps of the illicit drug in eight excretions spanning four days.

In another development, an alleged female drug dealer, Saratu Abdullahi, 28, from Kano State, was nabbed at Hotoro with 541 blocks of cannabis weighing 245kg.

Also, in Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 1,773.25kg of cannabis sativa at Ebutte-Meta and Akala in Mushin areas in separate raids between August 9 and 10.

“At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, 86 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43kg were recovered from a 40ft container during a joint examination with Customs and other security agencies.

“The illegal consignment seized on Friday, came from Toronto via Montreal, Canada and concealed in two drums inside a Mercedes Benz SUV in the container.

“In Abia, two suspects: Nnanna Ijo, 58, and Orji Uguru, 29, were arrested on Friday with various quantities of cannabis, heroin and cocaine at Nde-Agbai, Abiriba.

“This was a week after one Nnanna was released from detention over a similar offence committed in June 2022,” he said.

Babafemi reported the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of AIIA, Tincan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Abia Commands of the agency for the seizures and arrests.

Marwa urged them and their compatriots across the country to always remain steps ahead of the drug cartels.

In a similar development, the Agency also intercepted 442 parcels of Crystal Methamphetamine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

According to the Director of Media and Advocacy, the drugs were concealed in heads of fishes packed in cartons for export to Dubai, the United Arab Emirate.

Babafemi said that the 11.90kg consignment was brought to the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc. (SAHCO) shed of the airport on August 5, by a freight agent from Yagba West LGA of Kogi.

He said that the agent was promptly arrested upon the discovery that the seven cartons he presented for export contained parcels of the dangerous drug.

According to him, the items were wrapped with foil paper and concealed in the heads of hundreds of smoked catfish.

“The following day, Saturday, Aug. 6, another consignment containing 1.45kg cannabis was uncovered.

“It was concealed inside granulated melon and crayfish and packed among other food condiments going to Dubai,” he added.

Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives had arrested the freight agent, who hails from Abeokuta West LGA in Ogun.