NDLEA Intercepts Drug Shipments Concealed in Shoes, Clothes, and Other Items

 Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted significant quantities of cocaine and opioids, including tramadol, pentazocine injections, morphine sulfate, and ketamine injections. These drugs were cleverly concealed in the soles of shoes, clothing, and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

One notable interception involved 250 grams of cocaine hidden in the soles of custom-made shoes destined for Cyprus. Additionally, over five kilograms of opioids intended for the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI). These substances were concealed in clothing and other household items meant to be shipped through courier firms in Lagos.

In a related operation, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis arriving from Canada, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a logistics company in Lagos.

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, NDLEA operatives in Edo State intercepted a vehicle with the license plate Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu Junction, Esan Central LGA, following a tip-off. During the search of a passenger's luggage, operatives found 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in custard powder containers. The suspect, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, claimed the drugs were purchased in Onitsha, Anambra State, and were intended for sale in Mararaba, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In another operation, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, Lagos, on Monday, July 8, recovering 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders, 134 balloons, and 109 cartons of infusion chargers, among other items. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Simultaneously, NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities. These activities took place in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities, including lectures for students at St. Louis Grammar School in Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State; Infant Jesus Model Secondary School in Oron, Akwa Ibom State; Ede High School in Ede, Osun State; Government Day Secondary School in Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina State; and Rehoboth Secondary School in Okpuno Awka, Anambra State.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and personnel in Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands, as well as those in DOGI, for their efforts in drug interdiction and WADA sensitization. He encouraged them to maintain the current momentum in their drug supply reduction and public awareness initiatives.