Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a shipment of cannabis hidden inside a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, while also seizing 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder valued at over N6.98 billion at the Apapa port in Lagos.
The cannabis consignment, weighing 511.75 grammes, was intercepted from a female passenger travelling to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The agency also seized large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and other illicit substances in separate operations across Lagos, Edo, Ondo and Bauchi states, arresting several suspects, including an 85-year-old woman.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted the female passenger, identified as Fatimah Ahmad, on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah.
He said the suspect told operatives that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, gave her the gallon of palm oil, prompting his arrest at the airport car park.
At the Apapa port in Lagos, the agency, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies, uncovered a shipment of tramadol powder imported from India and declared as maize starch.
What You Should Know
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of anti-narcotics agents to clamp down on international drug trafficking networks operating through Nigerian airports and seaports.
- Positive Impact: Halting these massive shipments prevents dangerous illicit substances from entering local communities or damaging the nation’s global reputation.
- Potential Concerns: The continuous discovery of illicit drugs using everyday items like palm oil points to sophisticated smuggling methods that demand even stricter security screenings.
