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NDLEA intercepts UK-bound opioids, cocaine, skunk concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks, ladies’ bags, black soaps

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted three drug consignments at a courier company in Lagos, heading to the United Kingdom on October 9 and 10.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said one shipment contained 1.74 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in blocks of glass ceramics, while another held 114 grams and 168 grams of pentazocine and tramadol injections, respectively.

He said the third consignment contained 48 grams of tramadol capsules hidden in Vitamin C containers.

The agency also thwarted attempts by criminal syndicates to ship 2.6 kilograms of skunk and 422 grams of tapentadol concealed in black soap tablets to Turkey.

Babafemi said 169 grams of cocaine were hidden in handbags to Australia, and 568 grams of “loud”, a potent strain of cannabis, were concealed in herbal containers to the United Arab Emirates.

Babafemi said at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, officers intercepted 27,510 pills of rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks bound for South Africa.

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Following the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the consignment, a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi, popularly known as Yellow, at Oyingbo market in Lagos on October 2.

According to Babafemi, on the same day, Enehizena Uyimwen, an Italy-based businessman, was apprehended while attempting to export 3,700 pills of tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tablets of tapentadol 200mg concealed in food items to Italy.

Uyimwen reportedly said he was trafficking the drugs for another person for a fee of €945.

OTHER ARRESTS 

Babafemi said NDLEA operatives made several arrests and seizures across Edo, Osun, Rivers, Katsina, and Ondo states.

He said the home of Emmanuel Sunday, a suspect in Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako central LGA in Edo, was raided and 47 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

“Two suspects: Nureni Ayobami Eleweodo, 48, and Oladejo Taiwo, 52, were on Wednesday 8th October arrested at Omifufun village, Ife South LGA, Osun state following the seizure of 635 kilograms of skunk from their Toyota Hiace bus marked DDA65ZY,” Babafemi said.

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“Two other suspects: Timothy Omiwole, 41, and Isaac Achiatan, 36, were nabbed at same location with 100kg skunk recovered from them along with their motorcycle.”

In Rivers, two suspects — Okoro Julius and Onyebuchi Nwibo — were arrested in different parts of Port Harcourt after 8.5 kilograms of skunk were seized.

In Katsina, operatives nabbed Sulaiman Kalalu after 29.5 kilograms of the same substance were found in his house at Bayan Asiti, Jibia town.

In Niger state, officers arrested 29-year-old Yisa Daniel at New Bussa, where they recovered 22,000 tramadol capsules, 800 ampoules of pentazocine injection, and 150,000 pills of exol-5.

He said a separate operation in Ondo state led to the recovery of 312 kilograms of skunk from a bush at Ologede camp, Ogbese, while two suspects were intercepted along the Benin-Lagos expressway with 141.8 kilograms of skunk in their vehicle.

In Kaduna, another suspect, Rufai Ahmed, popularly known as Farin Malam, was arrested at the Abuja–Kaduna toll gate with 150,000 pills of exol-5 being transported from Lagos to Katsina.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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