The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a shipment of cannabis, also known as “Loud,” concealed in a duvet and destined for the United Kingdom.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency disclosed that the consignment was seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday. Two suspects, Adakole Sunday and Austin Balogun, linked to the shipment, were immediately arrested.
“Six parcels of the psychoactive substance, weighing 3.50 kilograms, were concealed inside the duvet,” the statement revealed.
According to Babafemi, Austin Balogun, the main agent who hired Adakole, admitted that he was paid N700,000 to cargo the consignment to the UK. He claimed to have spent part of the money on export handling charges and used the rest to secure accommodation.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives uncovered a hideout in Ikorodu, Lagos, where illegal substances and weapons were recovered. A subsequent raid in the Akala area of Mushin on January 19 led to the seizure of 47kg of skunk (a potent cannabis strain) and 25.46kg of Nitrous Oxide, popularly known as laughing gas.
At Igbo Olomu in Ikorodu, two suspects, Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun, were arrested during a raid on their hideout. Items recovered included:
Seven litres of “skuchies,” a psychoactive substance made with black currant, cannabis, and opioids.
Three locally-made double-barrel rifles.
One locally-made double-barrel pistol.
One English-made pistol.
One locally-made single-barrel rifle.
Three cartridges, one empty 9mm cartridge, and an iron-head axe.
In Ekiti State, a 26-year-old suspect, Adepoju Taiwo, was arrested on January 23 with 1.95kg of Canadian Loud. Meanwhile, in Kwara State, operatives apprehended Auwal Sani on January 20 in Moro Local Government Area with 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 36.56kg.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking and the proliferation of illegal substances across the country.