OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted more than 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000 kilograms of cannabis, in a series of operations across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the Federal Capital Territory.
News Point Nigeria reports that the agency said the seizures have a combined street value of more than N3.4 billion.
Among the major breakthroughs was the interception of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81 billion, at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.
According to a statement signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the consignment, which arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12, was subjected to a joint physical examination by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Wednesday, September 16.
The drugs were discovered concealed in 31 black jumbo bags loaded inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles packed in a 40-foot container.
In a related operation in Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade security checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs.
The suspect was arrested on September 16 along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba with 292.48kg of skunk concealed inside his silver Toyota Sienna bus.
According to the agency, investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been posing as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and using a forged police identification card to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints.
Another suspect was also arrested in connection with the operation.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested a 45-year-old man.
The agency said the workshop was allegedly being used as a cover for storing illicit drugs. Officers recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine and a metal box allegedly used for storing the substances.
The operations also yielded a major seizure of pharmaceutical opioids in Niger State, where NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects along the Abaji-Abuja Highway on September 18.
More than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets were recovered from eight sacks allegedly being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Earlier, three young suspects were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect at a residence in Aguda, Surulere, where 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg were recovered.
Another 59kg of cannabis sativa was intercepted at a logistics company, leading to the arrest of a suspect.
In a separate operation at Apongbo, a 43-year-old suspect was arrested with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
The agency also reported the recovery of 154,480 capsules of tramadol from two suspects who were arrested at Barunde area and Gombe main market respectively.
In Imo State, a 25-year-old suspect was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested during a raid on a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu forest, Ondo State.
The operation led to the destruction of 5,000kg of skunk, while 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for prosecution.
Beyond the seizures and arrests, the NDLEA said its commands and formations continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across the country.
The agency said the campaigns targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities, with recent engagements held in institutions in Oyo, Anambra, Lagos and Taraba states.
The Delta Ports Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State.
Commending officers and men of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), praised their professionalism and intelligence-driven operations.
Marwa urged officers across the country to sustain a balanced approach to the agency’s drug control efforts.