In Rivers state, the NDLEA seizes 338,000 bottles of codeine syrup valued at approximately N1.19 billion.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 338,000 bottles of codeine syrup, with an estimated street value of over N1.19 billion, during a joint operation at the Port Complex in Port Harcourt in Onne, Rivers State.
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This was disclosed in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
The illegal consignments, totaling 338,200 bottles, were discovered in two containers that had been placed on a watch list by the NDLEA following intelligence inputs.
NDLEA arrests 18,500 suspected traffickers, seizes 2.6 million kilograms of drugs in 2024 -
"A total of three hundred and thirty-eight thousand two hundred (338,200) bottles of codeine syrup with a market value of over one billion one hundred and ninety million one hundred and sixty-eight thousand two hundred naira ("N1,190,168,200.00") were intercepted in two containers monitored by the "intelligence-processing agency," the statement said.
2,217.6 kg of skunk seized in FCT
Among the most notable was the interception of a 40-foot trailer carrying 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk, a variety of cannabis, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The operation also resulted in the arrest of a key suspect and the seizure of several vehicles.
The drugs were distributed in six vehicles at an abandoned gas station and then transported to several northern states. The operation led to the seizure of not only the illegal cargo, but also the trailer and six vehicles, including a Toyota pick-up truck, a Toyota Camry, a Toyota Sienna bus, a JAC Hilux four-wheel drive truck, a Toyota Corolla and a Car Passat Vento. The trailer was loaded with drugs in Uzebba, Owan Local Council Area of Edo State. The suspect arrested in the operation is Isaac Monday Desmond, 42 years old. Seizures of cocaine, opioids and cannabis
In another raid in the FCT, two individuals, Anthony Nnamdi (42) and Abba Ali (27), were arrested in Nyanya with 1,398 kilograms of cocaine and a precursor substance used in the preparation of crack cocaine.
In Lagos, officers from the Directorate of General Operations and Investigations (DOGI) seized 20 packages of cocaine weighing 330 grams. The drugs were hidden in face cream containers in a shipment destined for Australia.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road on January 9, 2025 and arrested 23-year-old Habibu Ya'u. The raid resulted in the discovery of 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2 kilograms and 40,800 opioid tablets, including tramadol. Traditional High Priest Arrest
The traditional chief priest of Igunuko Shrine in Lekki, Lagos, Pastor Aliu, has been arrested after being on the run for over three months. Ali, also known as Malo, was wanted in connection with the removal of 2,760 kilograms of cannabis from his shrine in October 2024.
What you need to know
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has also seized 1,960 kilograms of cannabis and arrested six foreigners at Eleko Beach, Lekki, Lagos.
Nairametrics said Nigeria is among the countries with the highest cannabis consumption, following global trends in the use of illicit substances. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug in Nigeria, with widespread use across the country. This trend, highlighted by World of Statistics under its nickname X, highlights the growing challenges governments face in controlling drug use and its social impacts on public health. In Africa, South Africa and Nigeria stand out for their high prevalence of cannabis use.
Worldwide, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug, and several countries, including Argentina, Australia and Belgium, also have high rates of cannabis use.
Countries such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Iran continue to struggle with opium and heroin use, while methamphetamine use is widespread in countries such as China, Japan and South Korea.
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