Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted more than 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis, in operations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NDLEA said the seizures had a combined street value of more than N3.4 billion.
The operations were carried out in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the FCT, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
₦1.81 billion cannabis seized in Lagos
One of the largest seizures involved 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 603.75kg and valued at about N1.81 billion.
The consignment arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12 and was subjected to a joint physical examination by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at Tin-Can Island Port on September 16.
The drugs were allegedly concealed in 31 black jumbo bags loaded into two Toyota Sienna vehicles inside a 40-foot container.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to avoid security checks while transporting drugs.
The suspect was arrested on September 16 along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, where officers allegedly found 292.48kg of skunk inside his silver Toyota Sienna bus.
The agency said its investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been posing as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and using a forged police identification card to evade checkpoints.
Another suspect was also arrested in connection with the operation.
Over one million opioid pills recovered
In Niger State, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects along the Abaji-Abuja Highway on September 18 and recovered more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules.
The seizure also included codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets packed in eight sacks.
According to the agency, the drugs were allegedly being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba in Nasarawa State.
Earlier, NDLEA officers arrested three young suspects along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
More seizures in Lagos, Edo and Gombe
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect at a residence in Aguda, Surulere, where they recovered 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.
Another suspect was arrested after 59kg of cannabis sativa was intercepted at a logistics company.
In a separate operation at Apongbo, a 43-year-old suspect was arrested with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested a 45-year-old man.
The agency said the workshop was allegedly being used as a cover for storing illicit drugs. Officers recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine and a metal box allegedly used to store the substances.
In Gombe State, NDLEA officers recovered 154,480 capsules of tramadol from two suspects arrested in the Barunde area and Gombe main market.
In Imo State, a 25-year-old suspect was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
Cannabis farm destroyed in Ondo
In Ondo State, four suspects were arrested during a raid on a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest.
The operation led to the destruction of 5,000kg of skunk, while 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for prosecution.
The NDLEA said its commands and formations were also continuing with its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns across the country.
The agency said the campaigns had targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities, with recent engagements in Oyo, Anambra, Lagos and Taraba states.
The Delta Ports Command also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State.
Marwa commends NDLEA officers
Commending officers and men of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised their professionalism and intelligence-led operations.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to maintain a balanced approach to the agency’s drug control efforts.