Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and cloths destined for the United States and the United Kingdom.
This operation, conducted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos, resulted in several arrests and the seizure of a significant quantity of drugs.
A statement issued by the agency’s spokseperson, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA officers at the MMIA’s SAHCOL export shed recovered 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis concealed within six cartons of tins of branded Nestle Cerelac baby food, on July 31, 2024.
Each tin had been tampered with from the bottom and refilled with the psychotropic substance, weighing a total of 18.50 kilograms.
The meticulous concealment strategy, which involved factory-sealed tops and loose quantities of the infant cereal to mask the drugs, was foiled by the vigilant NDLEA officers.
A freight agent, Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, who presented the consignment for export to the UK, was arrested at the scene.
Subsequent investigations led to a follow-up operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 3, resulting in the arrest of the sender, Bello Motunrayo Folu, at her residence in Elewuro, Akobo.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers for their diligence.
“The ingenuity of traffickers is remarkable, but our officers are trained to be one step ahead. Their vigilance has once again prevented these dangerous substances from reaching the streets,” Marwa stated.
The statement adds that in another operation on July 29, 2024, NDLEA operatives intercepted five shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances at a logistics company in Lagos.
he shipments, destined for the US and UK, included 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections, and over two kilograms of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly, and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
The NDLEA has noted a rising trend in the use of everyday items to conceal drugs, a tactic aimed at evading detection.
“The increasing sophistication of these concealment methods underscores the need for continuous training and upgrading of our detection techniques,” Marwa emphasized.
On August 2, 2024, a joint examination by NDLEA operatives and Customs Service officials at Tincan Port in Lagos led to the discovery of 77 packages of Canadian Loud—a synthetic strain of cannabis—hidden in the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada. The vehicles included a Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Sienna, with the seized drugs weighing a total of 38.5 kilograms.
Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday, 34, and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, were arrested in connection with this seizure. The use of vehicles to smuggle drugs highlights the lengths traffickers will go to evade law enforcement.
The NDLEA’s operations extended beyond Lagos, resulting in significant seizures and arrests in other states. On August 1, 2024, Isiagu Sunday, was arrested in Mushin Ojuoye, Lagos, with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 174 liters and 1,070 tablets of molly weighing 600 grams.
In Ondo State, 50 bags of cannabis totaling 520 kilograms were recovered from a bush in Isuada, Owo Council Area. Five suspects, including Jimoh Omotosho, 63, and Donald Obi, 62, were arrested at Itaogbolu Forest, Akure North Local Government Area, with 42 kilograms of the same substance.
In Edo State, 22.5 bags of cannabis weighing 220 kilograms were recovered from Egbeta Community, Ovia North East Area, on July 30, 2024.
Osayede Aghoma was arrested in connection with this seizure. Additionally, on July 31, 2024, Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was apprehended with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 19.2 kilograms along the Okene-Lokoja Highway in a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Kano.
In tandem with their enforcement activities, the NDLEA has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign.
Recent initiatives include enlightenment lectures for students and staff at Khuddam College of Health Technology in Katsina State, the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, Delta State, and for youths at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Anambra State.
The agency also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to community leaders in Ifon, Ondo State.
NDLEA National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, highlighted the importance of these initiatives:
“Education is a critical component of our strategy. By raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the efforts of the NDLEA, we can foster a more informed and resilient society,” he said.
