NDLEA Intercepts N2.2 Billion Worth of Codeine Bottles at Lagos Port

The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking by intercepting two containers loaded with codeine-based syrup at the Tin Can seaport in Lagos. This operation, which took place on Friday, led to the seizure of approximately 1,596 cartons containing a staggering 319,200 bottles of the opioid, with an estimated street value of N2.234 billion.

Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, confirmed the details of the operation in a statement released on Sunday. The containers, which originated from the Mundra port in India, were intercepted during a joint examination conducted by NDLEA operatives along with other port stakeholders. The discovery highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing the influx of dangerous substances into Nigeria.

In addition to this significant seizure, the NDLEA has reported several arrests and drug busts across various locations in Nigeria. One notable case involved Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, a businessman from Onitsha, Anambra State, who was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Following a 12-day observation period, he excreted 68 wraps of cocaine after being arrested while attempting to board a flight to Abuja.

Nosike, 36, was taken into custody on August 8, 2024, at the old domestic terminal of the airport. He had arrived in Lagos the previous day and was under NDLEA surveillance due to intelligence regarding his activities. The agency’s operatives were able to intercept him before he could board his flight, leading to the eventual recovery of the cocaine, which weighed 1.282 kilograms.

The NDLEA’s efforts have also led to the interception of additional illicit substances at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Among these were 1.20 kilograms of cannabis concealed in a package bound for Dubai, resulting in the arrest of the sender, Aligbo Chukwudi Jacob. Furthermore, in the Mushin area of Lagos, operatives seized 3,834 bottles of codeine syrup, along with 5,200 Co-Codamol pills and 11,880 Rohypnol tablets from another suspect, Godwill Davidson.

The agency’s operations have extended across multiple states, with significant seizures reported in Kano, Edo, and Oyo states. In Kano, 145,400 tramadol pills were confiscated, leading to the arrest of two suspects. In Edo State, two women were apprehended for their involvement in the online sale of illegal drugs. Notably, 288.8 kilograms of cannabis were seized from an individual identified as Saturday Edobor, while another suspect, Odion Uzordinma, was caught with cookies and cakes laced with illicit substances.

In Oyo State, the NDLEA seized 267.5 liters of a substance known as “skuchies,” a mixture of illicit drugs, along with 18 grams of Canadian Loud from suspects Feranmi Bankole and Fredrick Tobiloba. The agency also reported the arrest of five female drug traffickers at the Seme border while they were attempting to return to Lagos from Ghana.

The NDLEA’s persistent efforts to combat drug trafficking have not gone unnoticed. Last week, the agency made headlines with the arrest of a Vietnam-bound businessman, Paul Okwuy Mbadugha, at the Abuja airport. After testing positive for cocaine ingestion, he excreted 88 wraps of the drug, weighing a total of 1.710 kilograms over four days of observation.

The NDLEA’s recent operations underscore the agency’s commitment to tackling the drug crisis in Nigeria, as they continue to intercept shipments and apprehend individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. As the fight against drug trafficking intensifies, the agency remains vigilant in its mission to safeguard the nation’s health and security.