NDLEA in Lagos uncovers drugs hidden in baby food containers
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made a significant drug seizure, uncovering illicit substances concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food.
The operation, conducted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos, exposed a major smuggling attempt.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi detailed the operation that led to the recovery of 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis. These were hidden in six cartons of branded Nestle Cerelac baby food tins, each containing six containers, with a total weight of 18.50 kilograms.
The discovery was made at the SAHCOL export shed at Lagos airport on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The drugs were concealed within factory-sealed tins that were tampered with at the bottom, a method designed to evade detection but ultimately unsuccessful thanks to the vigilance of NDLEA officers.
The investigation also led to the arrest of freight agent Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, who had presented the consignment for export to the UK. A follow-up operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, resulted in the arrest of the cargo sender, Bello Motunrayo Folu, at her residence in Elewuro, Akobo area of Ibadan on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
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In addition to the Cerelac tins, NDLEA operatives intercepted several other shipments of opioids and psychoactive substances destined for the US and UK. These included promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine, with over two kilograms of opioids intercepted on July 29 at a logistics company in Lagos.
Further seizures included 77 packages of Canadian Loud cannabis from the body compartments of four vehicles at Tincan port in Lagos on August 2. The total weight of these packages was 38.5 kilograms. Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday and Lekan Atoyebi, were taken into custody.
Additional drug busts included the seizure of 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup and 1,070 tablets of Molly in Lagos, as well as 50 bags of cannabis in Ondo State and 220 kilograms of cannabis in Edo State.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the agency’s operatives for their dedication and urged them to continue their efforts in drug supply reduction and public awareness initiatives. The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign has been active across various states, engaging with communities and institutions to combat drug abuse.
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