By The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has intercepted multiple consignments of cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in ladies’ sanitary pads and hair treatment cream containers destined for European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported on Sunday that the agency’s operatives discovered the illicit substances during examinations at three courier companies in Lagos. On September 3, 2024, officers recovered 30 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.1 kilograms hidden in hair cream containers bound for Ireland. Three days later, another 24 parcels of cocaine weighing 862 grams, similarly concealed, were intercepted en route to the UK.
In a separate operation, 525 pills of tramadol 225mg and ecstasy (MDMA) were found hidden in sanitary pads destined for Cyprus. Additionally, 200 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections, concealed among food items and herbs, were seized before they could be shipped to London.
The NDLEA’s efforts extended beyond Lagos, with significant drug busts reported across Nigeria. At Port Harcourt International Airport, 550,000 pills of tramadol were intercepted on September 2 during a joint examination with Nigerian Customs Service. In Ekiti State, a joint operation with the Nigerian Army on September 3 led to the destruction of over 100,000 kilograms of cannabis spread across 51 hectares of farmland in the Ise-Ekiti forest reserve.
Kaduna State saw the arrest of eight suspects with various illicit drugs on September 6, including 305kg of cannabis and 1,300 tablets of tramadol. Operations in Jigawa, Kogi, Borno, Kano, Taraba, and Osun states resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, and other controlled substances.
These interceptions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian law enforcement in combating drug trafficking, particularly the ingenious methods employed by traffickers to conceal illicit substances in everyday items.
The NDLEA’s success in these operations underscores the agency’s commitment to disrupting drug supply chains and preventing the export of narcotics to international markets. It also raises concerns about the prevalence of pharmaceutical opioid abuse and the need for stricter controls on these substances.
As investigations continue, the NDLEA is expected to work closely with international partners to track and dismantle the networks responsible for these smuggling attempts.
Credit: Punchng.com
