The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized consignments of Cocaine and ‘Loud’, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles in Lagos.
A statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja stated that the seized drugs were also concealed in game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’ native wears.
Babafemi said that the consignments were smuggled in and out, through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), and some courier firms in Lagos.
He said that the NDLEA operatives also arrested some of the suspects linked to them.
According to him, a businessman, Owolabi Alebiosu was on Thursday, July 18 arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence.
“This happened after a consignment of 40 parcels of ‘Loud’ weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set were intercepted.
“They were brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight and seized at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed of the Lagos airport.
“The consignments were intercepted during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
“A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as, weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit.
“Also, four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house,” he stated.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) plc export shed of the MMIA, on Friday July 19 intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan.
Babafemi said that the bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of ‘Loud’, both weighing 1.360kg.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Ogechi Eze, who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan.
“She said it was based on the instruction of her brother, Nnamdi Eze, based in the South Asia country,”he said.
Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on Thursday, July 18 intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses.
Babafemi said that the suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Emirates Airline.
According to him, a thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of ‘Loud’ weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wears.
“The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai,” Babafemi added.
In the same vein, not less than 4.5kg of the same substance concealed inside the door panels and boot of an imported Toyota RAV 4 vehicle were recovered.
Babafemi said that the drugs which were seized on Sunday, July 14 were found in a container marked MSDU 5656394 from Canada during a 100 per cent search of the container at Tincan port in Lagos.
He said that two suspects: Dada Kole and Alaba Oladewusi have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old one legged man, Amadu Garba was arrested by NDLEA operatives in his house at Yawuri town, Kebbi State.
Babafemi said that the suspect was found with six bags of cannabis weighing 67kg on Tuesday, July 16.
