In a significant crackdown, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids concealed in unconventional items, including shoe soles and custard containers, heading to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.
This discovery has prompted a stern warning from the NDLEA to travelers about the dangers of accepting luggage or items from others.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, shared videos of the seized contraband on X, highlighting the creative methods traffickers use to smuggle drugs.
“The first video reveals the moment #ndlea_nigeria officers discovered parcels of cocaine in the soles of shoes going to Europe, while the second one shows how tramadol pills hidden in custard containers were uncovered,” Babafemi said.
He emphasized the importance of being cautious when agreeing to deliver items for others, noting, “Another reason why you must be careful with any bag given to you to deliver.”
In addition to the cocaine and tramadol seizures, the NDLEA operatives also uncovered a warehouse filled with laughing gas in VGC Lekki and recovered 11,096kg of illicit drugs in coordinated raids across Edo, Borno, Ogun, and Katsina states.
The seized drugs included tramadol, pentazocine injections, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injections.
The agency’s recent operations underscore the growing complexity of drug trafficking methods and the importance of vigilance. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the efforts of the officers involved in these operations.
He commended the commands from Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), for their successful arrests and seizures.
Marwa also highlighted the NDLEA’s dual approach to combating drug trafficking: rigorous enforcement and proactive education.
Recent WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) enlightenment lectures were conducted for students across various schools in Nigeria, including St. Louis Grammar