NDLEA Seizes N16.1bn Opioids at Lagos Port, Arrests Multiple Suspects
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 25 million pills of tapentadol, an opioid three times stronger than tramadol, along with 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at N16.1 billion at the Tincan port complex in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the seizures occurred between Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 20, involving three containers flagged by the agency based on intelligence.
The tapentadol pills, valued at N13.7 billion, were discovered in 500 cartons in one container, while 175,000 bottles of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine, packed in 875 cartons, were found in another. A third container contained 175,000 bottles of CSC cough syrup with codeine, valued at N2.4 billion.
In related developments, NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old man, Aremu Shojobi, with 14kg of cannabis at his residence in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Shojobi, who admitted to being in the illicit drug business for 25 years, revealed he sourced his supplies from Benin Republic.
Additionally, NDLEA agents raided the homes of a community leader, Alhaji Bashir Talba, in Badagry West LCDA, recovering 226kg of cannabis from his two wives and son. Talba remains at large, but searches at his residences led to the seizure of 93 compressed blocks of cannabis from his first wife and son and 302 compressed blocks from his second wife.
Further operations in Lagos, Kano, Kogi, and other states resulted in the arrests of multiple suspects, including a drug mule, Okafor Ifeanyi Anthony, who was caught at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 76 wraps of cocaine in his stomach. Numerous consignments of cannabis, tramadol, and other controlled substances were also intercepted across various locations.
