NDLEA cracks down on drug smuggling operations, seizes cocaine hidden in pads, creams

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, intercepting several consignments of cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in women’s sanitary pads and hair treatment cream containers destined for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus.

The seizures were made at three courier companies in Lagos.

On September 3rd, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) discovered 30 parcels of cocaine, weighing 1.1 kilograms, hidden in hair cream containers during an examination of cargo bound for Ireland.

Just days later, on September 6th, another 24 parcels of cocaine, weighing 862 grams and also concealed in hair cream containers, were intercepted at the same location en route to the UK.

In a separate operation on September 3rd, 525 pills of tramadol (225mg) and ecstasy (MDMA) were found hidden in sanitary pads destined for Cyprus.

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The following day, NDLEA officers seized a shipment of 200 ampoules of promethazine injection and pentazocine injection concealed in food items and herbs bound for London. Another consignment of tramadol, this time hidden in granulated melon, was intercepted on September 6th en route from Cameroon to South Africa.

The NDLEA also reported a significant haul at Port Harcourt International Airport on September 2nd, where 550,000 pills of tramadol were seized from a cargo arriving from Delhi, India. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.

In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives, backed by Nigerian Army personnel, destroyed over 100,000 kilograms of cannabis spread across 51 hectares of farmland in Ise-Ekiti forest reserve on September 3rd and 4th. The operation targeted three settlements within the reserve: Aba Saalaja, Aba Paanu, and Aba Arogunmati.

Further arrests and seizures were made across multiple states. In Kaduna, two suspects were apprehended on September 6th with 305kg of cannabis concealed in a bus, while in Jigawa, a man was caught with 32.6kg of cannabis on September 5th.

Significant quantities of tramadol, diazepam, codeine, and other illicit substances were also seized in Kogi, Borno, Kano, Taraba, and Osun States.

The NDLEA has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

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NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s officers for their dedication and urged them to maintain their efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.