The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, Nasarawa state.
It also seized a large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2.185billion.
NDEAL in statement on Sunday by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in Abuja, said the agency operatives at the Lagos airport, with the cooperation of other security agencies on May 31, 2024, intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“The consignment estimated to be worth N960million, which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto, Canada to transport the drug to Nigeria.
Blessing Thomas, one of the suspects
“During his interview, he claimed that he was recruited as a mule to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of Six Million Naira.
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“At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives on May 27, intercepted a container marked TEMU 6807401 imported from India enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
“During a joint examination of the container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, 1,750 cartons of codeine weighing 26,250kg, containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid worth N1,225,000,000, in street value were discovered.
“In Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada expressway on May 31, while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state.
“In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on May 29, nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
“Two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti State, where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on May 30.
“In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road on May 29,” the statement added.
