NDLEA uncovers multi-billion-naira drug trafficking network in nationwide raids
In a series of nationwide intelligence-led operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant drug busts, seizing multi-billion-naira worth of illicit substances, including cocaine concealed in automobile parts and Ghanaian traditional fabrics.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.32 kilograms of cocaine hidden in Ghanaian kente materials bound for the United Kingdom.
The seizure occurred on August 5, 2024, at a courier firm in Lagos. Further investigation led to the discovery of 10.494 kilograms of cocaine concealed within heavy-duty pivot shafts destined for the United States.
The total weight of cocaine seized in these two operations amounted to 12.814 kilograms.
In a related operation on August 9, 2024, five more consignments headed for the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada were intercepted at the same courier firm in Lagos.
The confiscated items included 517 grams of cocaine hidden in clothing materials, pentazocine injections, promethazine injections, cocodamol pills, and 297 tramadol pills.
NDLEA operatives also uncovered 21 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 10 kilograms, sent from the United States and destined for Abuja.
This discovery was made during a search at another logistics company in Lagos.
The agency continued its crackdown on drug trafficking networks with a series of arrests across Lagos, Anambra, Edo, and Adamawa states.
In Lagos, on August 7, 2024, a member of a cocaine trafficking syndicate was arrested in Alafia Orile, Amuwo Odofin area, while attempting to transport 9.00 kilograms of cocaine to Onitsha, Anambra State.
Two additional members of this network were apprehended in Nnewi and Oba towns, Anambra, on August 8, 2024.
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These arrests followed the seizure of their cocaine consignments in a transport company bus at Benin tollgate, Edo State.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives at Tincan seaport in Lagos intercepted 532 parcels of “Loud,” weighing 265.25 kilograms, concealed in a Toyota Sienna bus within a container from Montreal, Canada.
The next day, an additional 75 parcels of the same substance, weighing 37.5 kilograms, were seized from another container from Canada.
In Adamawa State, a suspect was arrested on August 8, 2024, with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 291.200 kilograms. The suspect claimed he was transporting the consignment from Edo State to Yola, Adamawa State.
In another operation, NDLEA officers destroyed 1,230 kilograms of cannabis on three hectares of farmland in Ikeje forest, Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi State, on August 9, 2024. The farm owner was arrested on the spot.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) continued across the country with sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their efforts and urged them to maintain their balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction.
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