The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of Cannabis Indica, popularly called Colorado, concealed in vehicles imported from Montreal, Canada at the Tincan seaport, Apapa, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement release on Sunday, 25 December 2022, by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, '' Men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency seized the drugs at the Tincan seaport, Apapa, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State''.
Mr Babafemi said the drugs, which were concealed in packs of cannabis juice flown in from South Africa, were meant for distribution ahead of the Christmas festive season.
He said a consignment of 185 parcels of Cannabis Indica weighing 61.3kgs, was also seized during a joint examination of a container at the Tincan seaport, Lagos.
He also said the container marked MSCU5206726 from Montreal, Canada, was declared as containing three units of used vehicles.
"But upon a 100% examination, it was found to contain two vehicles; a 2009 Toyota Corolla car and a 2009 Ford Econoline bus as well as used car engines, bicycles, shoes and other items including the drugs," the statement said.
"Two dock workers: Abdulquadri Abdulazeez and Ogbuji Kenneth, are already in NDLEA custody in connection with the seizure following their initial arrest by the Port Security and the Police."
Meanwhile, Mr Babafemi said the search of consolidated cargo from South Africa led to the discovery of smuggled bottled Cannabis juice with a gross weight of 16.50kgs on 21 December.
This, he said, was at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) import shed of the Lagos airport.
He added: "Investigations by anti-narcotics officers subsequently led to the arrest of four freight agents: Soremekun Olalekan Wasiu; Olufisayo Dayo; Moruf Olusegun Bashir and Imole Moses Ajayi.
"The suspects’ statements eventually led to the arrest of the consignee, a wine shop business owner, Emebede Chuka, the following day, Dec. 22."
Also, an attempt to export quantities of cannabis and ecstasy pills also known as MDMA concealed in beverage drinks, Bournvita containers to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was stopped.
This, he said, was through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), export shed on Dec. 23 and a vulcaniser given the assignment for a fee of N4,000, Iyanda Ogunleye Yaya, has been arrested.
The NDLEA spokesperson said that two suspects: Nura Zakariya’u and Alkasim Abubakar were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora, in Kano State, with 161 blocks of cannabis.
Mr Babafemi said the drugs were weighing 152kgs and various quantities of Exol and Codeine-based syrup.
He said that a total of 100,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect, Amaechi Johnson in Imo State on his way to Onitsha, Anambra State.
"Similarly, a total of 708 kg of cannabis were recovered by operatives from a bus at Ehinogbe, Owo area of Ondo state on Dec. 20," he said.
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