The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a responsive crackdown, has intercepted a massive consignment of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in 324 bags weighing 111.2 kilograms.
The operation happened at the Onikan area of Lagos Island, where a 42-year-old suspect, Taofeek Yusuf, was apprehended while transporting the illicit cargo in an unregistered Grand Caravan vehicle.
According to a statement by Mr. Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Taofeek’s arrest and the seizure of the Canadian Loud followed credible intelligence obtained after the recent arrest of another suspect, Godwin Thank-God, at the Lagos International Airport.
Godwin Thank-God, a frequent flyer attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy, was intercepted with codeine-based syrup and Rohypnol concealed in his luggage. The search revealed five cartons containing 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 300 tablets of Rohypnol.
Further operations at the airport led NDLEA operatives to recover 30,000 packs of tramadol (225mg) from the SAHCO import shed.
The tramadol consignment, arriving from Karachi, Pakistan, via KLM Royal Dutch Airline, was seized following a joint examination with other security agencies.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives uncovered various quantities of tramadol and cannabis sativa hidden in sports canvas shoes destined for Oman. Another consignment of tramadol and Rohypnol, concealed in spices headed for the United Kingdom, was intercepted at two courier firms in Lagos.
In other operations, NDLEA raids in Oyo and Ondo states targeted clandestine drug operations. In Ibadan, a skuchies factory operated by Oyadeji Dimeji was raided, resulting in the seizure of 76.6kg of cannabis sativa, tramadol, rophynol, and 50 liters of the psychoactive substance-laden liquid mixture.
In Ondo, four suspects were arrested with 524.5kg of cannabis at De-Rock View Hotel, Gadson Junction.
Also, another suspect, Aniekeme Eyibio, was apprehended in Ala forest, Akure North LGA, with 293.5kg of psychoactive substance and a Dane gun.
The NDLEA’s operations extended to Edo, Kogi, Katsina, and Gombe states, leading to the arrest of suspects with significant quantities of cannabis and other illicit substances.
Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, commended the officers for their achievements and urged them to maintain the offensive against drug trafficking while emphasizing the importance of drug demand reduction efforts.
