The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple attempts by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to smuggle illicit substances from Nigeria to five countries, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, revealing that the seized drugs included cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly, and other narcotics.
According to Babafemi, traffickers attempted to conceal the drugs in unconventional items such as prayer beads, board game packs, female clothing, and vitamin C bottles. The illicit consignments were set to be smuggled through logistics companies and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
“At least two suspects linked to the smuggling attempts at MMIA have been arrested and detained,” Babafemi said.
One of the arrested suspects, a 43-year-old businesswoman, was caught at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on March 8. A search of her luggage uncovered 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and an additional parcel of skunk (a strain of cannabis). The suspect allegedly confessed to purchasing the drugs for resale in Italy.
Similarly, on March 11, NDLEA operatives at the airport’s export shed intercepted a 60-year-old suspect attempting to ship a package disguised as clothing. Upon inspection, 400 grams of skunk hidden in the garments were found in a consignment bound for New York, USA.
Further investigations led to the discovery of over two kilograms of illicit drugs, including loud, molly, and tramadol (365mg and 225mg), concealed in vitamin C bottles and female clothing. These shipments were intended for delivery to the U.S. via logistics companies in Lagos.
Between March 10 and March 12, NDLEA officers also seized 230 grams of cocaine hidden inside prayer beads, the soles of locally made shoes, and board game packs in consignments destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.
Despite these enforcement actions, NDLEA remains committed to its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the country. Recent awareness programs were held in Lagos, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, and Ekiti states.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing the export of illicit substances from Nigeria.