The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder worth more than N6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos and arrested a woman allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis to Saudi Arabia.
The passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, was arrested on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah via Addis Ababa at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.
The agency said operatives discovered 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil she was carrying.
According to the NDLEA, Ahmad told officers that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the gallon. Yahaya was subsequently arrested in the airport car park.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests and seizures in a statement on Sunday, detailing several anti-drug operations across different states.
NDLEA intercepts N6.98bn tramadol at Apapa Port
At the Apapa Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies, uncovered a shipment of tramadol on October 2 during an examination of cargo declared as maize starch.
A confirmatory test conducted at the agency’s forensic laboratory identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder.
The shipment was separated from its concealment on October 14 and found to comprise 349 bags with a gross weight of 8,725 kilogrammes. The agency valued the consignment at more than N6.98 billion.
NDLEA seizes Canadian Loud, other drugs in Lagos
At the Tin Can Port, also in Lagos, operatives discovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, valued at N165 million, concealed in a Toyota Sienna inside a 40-foot container on October 12.
The agency also reported the arrest of Elizabeth Chidera Kalu at Idumota Market on October 14. Operatives recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.
In separate operations in Mushin on October 15, two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of skunk, respectively.
Another operation along Iyana Oba led to the interception of a truck allegedly transporting illicit drugs from Trade Fair Market.
The NDLEA said operatives discovered 18,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.
The suspects arrested were identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, a loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru.
Six arrested in Edo drug raids
In Edo State, the agency said six suspects were arrested during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.
Those arrested included 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of skunk, and 53-year-old Ayo Aigberadion, who was allegedly found with 220.8 kilogrammes.
Other suspects were reportedly found with varying quantities of cannabis and other substances, including tramadol, Swinol and diazepam.
NDLEA destroys cannabis farm in Ondo
In Ondo State, the agency said operatives raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17, destroying 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on three hectares of land and arresting five suspects.
The operation also yielded 92 bags of skunk weighing 1,267 kilogrammes, 11 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and three kilogrammes of fresh stems, bringing the total weight of the recovered exhibits to 1,281 kilogrammes.
In a separate operation in Owo, officers tracked 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi to a hideout in Ameyinti on October 16 and recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375 kilogrammes.
NDLEA intercepts tramadol in Bauchi
In Bauchi State, operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14.
The agency said they recovered 894,800 tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets from 35-year-old Shamsu Garba.
In another operation, officers patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilogrammes from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village.