NDLEA arrests ex-convict who smuggled drugs hidden in car, shoes at Lagos airport.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two persons, including a businessman and an ex-convict, in separate attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into South Africa and Italy.
The agency also seized over 1 million opioid pills in coordinated multi-state operations.
The arrests and seizures were disclosed in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives foiled an attempt by ex-convict Olanrewaju Bada Akorede to export a shipment of Rohypnol to South Africa.
The drugs were hidden in a shipment containing men's clothing, shoes and coats at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Synthesizing beautiful scenes of Ha Giang through super quality travel videos - Flycam Nem TV
"Olanrewaju was convicted of a similar crime earlier this year after his arrest on December 12, 2023, for attempting to transport 4.90kg of Tramadol and 2.10kg of Rohypnol to South Africa," Babafemi revealed.
The former prisoner had served a two-year sentence with an option of a fine of N900,000, which he paid before committing the offence again for the same crime.
Businessman arrested with cocaine at Kano airport
Operators of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, have arrested Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus, a businessman, with 256 wraps of cocaine weighing 6 kilograms.
The arrest took place on Sunday, December 15, during the entry screening of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
"This is the largest cocaine seizure at Kano airport since the establishment of the NDLEA's MAKIA command in 2006," Babafemi said. Olisaka, who claimed to be involved in import-export, underwent a physical examination, where hundreds of cocaine pellets were discovered hidden in his body.
Arrest of businesswoman headed to Italy
An Italian-based businesswoman, Cynthia Akaeen, was arrested on Wednesday, December 18, while trying to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Italy. She was found with 9,190 tramadol tablets weighing 6 kilograms.
According to Babafemi, Cynthia admitted that she was promised 1,000 euros after receiving the drug delivery in Italy.
Other seizures in some states
In addition to the arrests, NDLEA agents conducted raids in several states, resulting in the recovery of significant quantities of drugs:
Anambra: 418,330 tramadol and tapentadol tablets and 8,000 bottles of codeine syrup at a warehouse in Onitsha. Lagos: 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup from a container from India.
Borno: 293,000 tramadol capsules, a pistol and 26 cartridges were seized from suspects Ishaya Wabba and Samaila Audu.
In Maiduguri, another suspect, Modu Kolera, was arrested with 8.5 kg of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and other psychoactive substances.
NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) congratulated the officers involved in the operations, urging them to continue their efforts.
"We will not rest on our laurels as we intensify our balanced approach to efforts to reduce drug supply and demand," Marwa said.
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