NDLEA uncovers hidden drugs in baby food containers destined for UK, US
NDLEA uncovers hidden drugs in baby food containers destined for UK, US
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has thwarted multiple drug shipments concealed in baby food containers, specifically Cerelac baby food and clothes, destined for the United States and United Kingdom.
The agency in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, found 36 parcels of a potent cannabis strain hidden within six cartons of baby food tins in each package, were recovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, and a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
The statement stressed that the psychotropic substance has a total weight of 18.50 kilograms.
Babafemi disclosed that a freight agent identified as Salaudeen Suliat who presented the consignment for export to the UK was arrested.
Babafemi said, “A freight agent, Salaudeen Suliat Abiola who presented the consignment for export to the UK was promptly arrested while a follow-up operation to Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday 3rd August led to the arrest of the sender of the cargo, Bello Motunrayo Folu at her No. 20 Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of the Oyo state capital.
“The Cerelac tins were all factory-sealed at the top while they tampered with the bottom through which they put the substances covered with loose quantities of the infant cereal meal to prevent discovery, an effort that ended in futility as vigilant NDLEA officers were able to foil the attempt.”
Babafemi enunciates that in the same vein, five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances, including promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine concealed in cloths and other items meant for export to the US and the UK was equally interrupted by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.
“While one of the shipments containing 820grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was going to the United States, the remaining four parcels consisting of over two kilograms of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly and NPS were heading to the United Kingdom. They were all intercepted on Monday 29th July at a logistics company in Lagos.
“Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan port in Lagos on Friday 2nd August recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis from the body compartments of four vehicles: Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Sienna imported from Canada during a joint examination of some containers with men of the Customs Service and other stakeholders.
“The seized consignments have a total weight of 38.5 kilograms while two suspects: Salami Abiodun Sunday, 34 and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, assigned to clear the shipments have been taken into custody,” the statement added.
Babafemi according to the statement established that Isiagu Sunday was arrested on Thursday, August 1, in Mushin Ojuoye, Lagos with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 174 litres and 1,070 tablets of Molly weighing 600grams.
Adding that no less than 50 bags of cannabis with a gross weight of 520kg were recovered in the bush at Isuada, Owo council area of Ondo State and five suspects were arrested at Itaogbolu forest, Akure North LG area of the state.
However, the suspects according to the statement were arrested in connection with the seizure of 42kg of the same psychoactive substance alongside 63 years old Jimoh Omotosho, Donald Obi, 62; Emmanuel Patrick, 21; Kayode Oluwaseun, 39; and 34-year-old John Nsikan.
In another development, the NDLEA on Tuesday, July 30, in Edo State recovered 22 and a half bags of cannabis weighing 220kg from the Egbeta community, Ovia North East, Edo State.
The statement also acknowledged the arrest of a suspect identified as Osayede Aghoma.
“Another suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was on Wednesday 31st July nabbed with 40 blocks of the same substance weighing 19.200kg along Okene-Lokoja highway in a commercial bus coming from Lagos route to Kano. With the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others in the past week.
“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Khuddam College of Health Technology, Kofar Kaura, Katsina state; staff of Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta state; youths of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state and WADA advocacy visit to the Lisa of Ifon and community leaders, Ondo state, among others,” Babafemi said.
However, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) in the statement commended the officers and men of MMIA, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Tincan, Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures noting that their illegal drugs supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities. He however charged them and other compatriots across the country to maintain the passion and tempo.
Meanwhile, NDLEA confirmed the arrest of a man dressed in church uniform with cocaine hidden in sandals and headed for Europe, as reported by Dailyeconomy on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
