Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has confiscated over N4 billion worth of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja in Lagos State, consignments, weighing 18.72 kilogrammes, were concealed in two lavatories of an Ethiopian-bound flight and they were found during post-landing cleaning of the cabin.
Penpushing reports that the Director, Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA)Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, explaining that the consignments, in 845 wraps, were confiscated by the agency’s operatives on October 29, 2024.
The Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency added that the illicit consignments were wrapped in polythene bags and hidden in the waste collectors in the two rear lavatories of the aircraft when they were recovered.
“No fewer than 30 suspects have so far been grilled in connection with the seizure. Investigations revealed that the seized drugs were conveyed from Brazil to Ethiopia through ingestion and excreted in Addis Ababa by a set of couriers, Babafemi said.
“While some other traffickers picked them up and attempted to smuggle them into Nigeria through the Lagos Airport before their attempt was frustrated with the cooperation of the airline’s authorities and other airport stakeholders”, he stated.
Penpushing further reports that the spokesperson said the agency’s operatives in similar vein, thwarted traffickers’ attempt to export 2.928kg cocaine, cannabis and tramadol 225mg concealed in body cream containers, including pieces of artwork, to Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
The Director, Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) said the syndicate had attempted to use some courier companies in Lagos to export the drug before they were blocked by the operatives.
Penpushing also reports that Babafemi disclosed that other consignments, comprising 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225mg, worth N525,000,000, were intercepted at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on October 29, 2024, adding that the items were part of a targeted and watch-listed container from India, seized during a joint examination with men of the Customs Service and other security agencies.
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