The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in specially fabricated compartments of two long trailers and arrested members of a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo–Benin Republic–Nigeria corridor.
The agency said the intelligence-led operation followed the seizure of 558,900 tramadol pills hidden inside a truck that entered Nigeria through the same route barely a week earlier.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, one of the trailers was intercepted on 2 July, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano.
Operatives recovered 853,000 pills of 250mg tramadol concealed beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested its 22-year-old driver, Jabir Kabiru.
“Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through the Benin Republic, into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move 1,630,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos,” Babafemi said.
He added that a second trailer was intercepted on the same expressway on 4 July, where officers recovered another 777,000 tramadol pills concealed in a fabricated compartment.
The second driver, 22-year-old Muhammed Nuhu, was also arrested.
NDLEA said investigations revealed that the consignments intercepted on 21 June, 2 July and 4 July belonged to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
Canadian Loud intercepted at Lagos airport
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, NDLEA operatives intercepted two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 4.70 kilograms.
According to the agency, the consignments arrived from Canada aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24 June and 3 July, concealed inside cartons labelled “Odugwu.”
Two cargo agents, Ali Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested before another suspect, Edeh Stanislus, was apprehended while attempting to collect the shipment.
NDLEA later arrested the alleged owner of the consignment, 44-year-old Chioma Nneka Mokeme, with the support of the Nigeria Police Area C Command in Surulere, Lagos.
According to Mr Babafemi, the suspect claimed she was introduced to the illicit trade by a friend, Agbons Collins, who resides in Canada.
Elderly suspect arrested in Rivers
In Rivers State, NDLEA arrested 80-year-old Chika Ugwoji in Ahoada after he was allegedly found with 800 grammes of skunk.
The agency described the octogenarian as a suspected dealer in illicit drugs.
Couple arrested in Edo
In Benin City, Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, 32-year-old Christian Chukwuka, and 33-year-old Nwanneka Christian, during a raid on an alleged drug warehouse along Sapele Road.
The operation led to the seizure of 22 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 219.5 kilograms and 192.67 kilograms of Canadian Loud.
Chadian national, accomplice arrested
The agency also arrested Hajara Abdullahi, a 38-year-old Chadian national, alongside her Nigerian accomplice, 44-year-old Abdulkarim Jidda, after tracing them to a consignment of 50,000 tramadol (225mg) pills intercepted in Kogi State on 12 July.
Marwa commends operatives
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised their commitment to the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
“Their efforts and those of their compatriots across the country have contributed in no small measure to ongoing drug control efforts across the country,” Marwa said.
He urged operatives to remain vigilant and sustain the agency’s campaign against drug trafficking nationwide.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
