Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple attempts to export illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in the arrest of two suspects in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the interceptions were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a Lagos-based courier company.
One of the suspects, 48-year-old UK-based Public Health Assistant, Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, was arrested on October 12 at MMIA Terminal 2 while attempting to board a flight to Manchester. She was found with 2,300 tramadol pills (225mg) concealed inside frozen snails packed in her luggage.
Earlier, on October 7, NDLEA officers arrested a cargo agent, Boladale Riliwan, at the airport’s export shed for attempting to ship 15 parcels of cannabis (skunk) hidden inside 10 giant rechargeable bulbs to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos also intercepted a US-bound parcel containing 810 bromazepam pills cleverly hidden in female clothing.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to intensify surveillance and collaboration with global partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across borders.
Writing by Nosa Aituamen