The PUNCH reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stated it intercepted about 1.5 million tablets and pills of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra State, and heading to Yauri, Kebbi State.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a declaration on Sunday, said the drugs were obstructed in Edo State on Friday, January 14, 2022.

The NDLEA spokesperson also stated the exact same day, 425,000 Diazepam tablets were recuperated at Segemu, Kano.

He said in the past week, N1,413,344 was taken together with arms and ammunition from a believed bandit and a drug kingpin in Plateau State while over 137.754 kgs of assorted illegal drugs were recovered throughout interdiction operations across seven states.

“Acting on reliable intelligence, operatives in Edo State on Friday 14th January 2022, intercepted a trailer coming from Onitsha and going to Yauri in Kebbi State. An extensive search of the truck caused the discovery of psychotropic compounds hidden under genuine items. The drugs took consist of: 394,480 pills and 3,000 tablets of Tramadol weighing 83.707 kg; Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203.315 kg; Diazepam: 12,500 tablets weighing 2.05 kg; Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets weighing 0.45 kg; Codeine based Syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134.865 kg; Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.64 kg. The chauffeur of the truck, Bashir Lawali, 30, was jailed together with Abubakar Sani, 30, and Ali Abubakar, 19, while the exhibitions in Kano were seized from one Sa’idu Yahya, 31.

“Attempts by drug traffickers to export 73 parcels of marijuana (34.05 kg) hidden in foods plastic containers to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, were frustrated by operatives on 8th Jan, exact same way another 50 parcels of cannabis consignment (27.25 kg) indicated for the United States was likewise intercepted at the export shed of the airport on Tuesday 11th Jan and a minimum of three suspects up until now jailed.

“In the reverse quote, relocations by illicit drug merchants to bring into Nigeria 94 parcels of marijuana indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4 kg through the Tincan Seaport in Lagos were crushed on 13th January when operatives obstructed the drug inside a 40ft container from Canada. The exhibit was hidden inside a Toyota Camry Car. This began the heels of a similar seizure on 11th January of 59 parcels of Colorado (17.3 kg) hidden in a Mercedes Benz Vehicle imported from Canada.

“In Plateau State, a fake security representative, Babagana Maaji has been detained through a regulated delivery of 5.6 kg marijuana from Lagos. The suspect based in Damaturu, Yobe State, was caught following the interception of an industrial bus bringing the consignment from Lagos to Gombe in Mararaban Jos on 8th January.

“On Tuesday 11th January, operatives of the Plateau Command of the Agency also apprehended a suspected bandit, Abdullahi Usman Ahmad, 28, at Hwolshe with One Beretta pistol; seven rounds of live ammo; 2 empty shells; 12 grams of marijuana sativa; a pair of handcuffs and One Million One Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-Four Naira just (N1, 136,344), suspected to be ransom money along with an Opel Car with registration number ZAR35LQ.

“In the same vein, leader of a cocaine distribution ring in Plateau, Chibueze Okoro John, 42, has been arrested along Zaria Road, Jos, with quantities of drug and Tramadol recuperated from him along with a Sienna Bus (BWR 584 AL), Toyota Camry Car (RBC 461 BF) and the amount of Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira only (N 277, 000), which the suspect used to the narcotic officers as bribe but was turned down.

“In Delta State, the bid by 38-year-old Ejike Obiora, to smuggle various quantities of Cocaine and Heroin into the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA, was foiled on 8th January, when he was discovered to have concealed the drugs in foodstuffs suggested for an inmate.

“This is even as 598kg marijuana was recuperated throughout a raid in Owo location of Ondo state with the 2 owners: Arataye Raimi, 41, and Tope Osinnuwa, 36, ultimately detained in follow up operations.

“While one Abdullahi Mohammed was detained in connection with the seizure of 48.5 blocks of marijuana in Potiskum, Yobe State, another phony security agent, Dike Davison was captured at Aliade, Benue State, with 50grams of cannabis and 29 rounds of live ammo of 7.62 mm calibre.

“In Abuja, FCT, a buy and bust operation on Friday 14th January, led to the arrest of one Habib Yusif, 41, with an overall of 28.2 kg cannabis recovered from him, while in Osun state, the trio of Samuel Joseph; Francis Ujor and Sola Johnson were arrested in Onikoko town Area 5, Ile-Ife, with 100 bags of marijuana weighing 1,530 kgs recuperated from them on Thursday 13th Jan.

“While applauding the officers and men of the various commands for their remarkable efforts, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) guaranteed them that their sacrifices, commitment to duty and remarkable accomplishments will not go without commensurate commendation and rewards.”

ToriNG