NDLEA Uncovers Sophisticated Drug Network as UK Colos, Opioids Hidden in Speakers, Bread
NDLEA Uncovers Sophisticated Drug Network as UK Colos, Opioids Hidden in Speakers, Bread
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered an elaborate drug trafficking network using international cargo, music equipment, loaves of bread and interstate transport channels to move illicit substances across Nigeria and beyond.
The nationwide operations, spanning eight states, led to the interception of more than 2.3 tonnes of assorted illicit drugs and the arrest of several suspects, including a real estate agent, a tour agent and a 70-year-old woman.
Among the major discoveries were consignments of Colorado, popularly known as Colos, shipped into Nigeria from the United Kingdom and intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said operatives discovered 27 parcels of the synthetic cannabis weighing 32.2 kilogrammes concealed inside luggage that arrived through consolidated cargo from the UK.
A real estate agent, Abideen Salami, was arrested after allegedly presenting a secret collection code while attempting to take delivery of the consignment.
Investigators said the code was allegedly sent to him by his brother based in the United Kingdom.
A follow-up operation on another UK-origin shipment led to the arrest of 44-year-old Nurudeen Kadiri, who was allegedly designated to collect another 12.25 kilogrammes of Colorado.
The anti-narcotics agency also uncovered another trafficking method involving music equipment.
Three packs of Colorado were reportedly concealed inside a music speaker and intercepted at Maza Maza motor park in Lagos. The consignment was allegedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, before onward movement to Liberia.
A tour agent, Ifeanyi Augustine, and another suspect, Obasi Ugochuckwu, were arrested during a follow-up operation.
At Iddo motor park in Lagos, another suspect was arrested while allegedly attempting to send 2.1 kilogrammes of Colorado to Kano.
The operations revealed that drug syndicates were not only exploiting international cargo channels but also using Nigeria’s interstate transportation system to distribute narcotics.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested a 20-year-old suspect following the recovery of 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425 kilogrammes.
In another interception along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia road, operatives discovered 1,700 diazepam tablets allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread.
The crackdown extended to Plateau State, where a suspect was arrested at Katako Market, Jos, with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
NDLEA operatives also intensified operations against cannabis production and distribution.
In Edo State, the agency destroyed 4,832.56 kilogrammes of cannabis on farms located in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest.
In Ondo State, operatives recovered 186 kilogrammes of skunk allegedly concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon. The drugs were reportedly being prepared for transportation to Jos.
Another 369.6 kilogrammes of cannabis was recovered in Kaduna State, while four suspects were arrested in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, following the recovery of 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876 kilogrammes.
The Bayelsa suspects included a 70-year-old woman.
Separate operations in Delta State also resulted in the recovery of controlled substances including pentazocine injections, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam and MDMA.
The latest operations underline the changing tactics of drug traffickers, who are increasingly using legitimate cargo channels, commercial vehicles and ordinary household items to disguise illicit consignments.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended officers involved in the operations and directed commands nationwide to sustain pressure on drug trafficking organisations.
He urged operatives to continue disrupting trafficking pipelines through airports, seaports, land borders and domestic distribution networks.
The agency also said its War Against Drug Abuse campaign continued in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities across the country as part of efforts to combine enforcement with drug-use prevention.
