NDLEA intercepts Italy, Dubai-bound drugs, seizes pharmaceutical opioids 

Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), has foiled fresh bids by drug cartels to export Tramadol, and Cannabis to Milan, Italy and Dubai, United Arab Emirates through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, Southern Nigeria.

A press statement by the agency’s spokesperson Mr Femi Babafemi in Abuja says, a female passenger, Odia Emiliana Efe was arrested on Monday 9th May while trying to board Royal Air Moroc flight from Lagos via Casablanca to Milan, Italy with 1000 tablets of Tramadol 200mg concealed in food items.

“Five days after, Friday 13th May, a freight agent Kareem Ibrahim was arrested at the SAHCO cargo shed of the airport for attempting to export food items in which were hidden blocks of cannabis weighing 6.65kg and 24grams of ecstasy drug, MDMA to Dubai in UAE.”

The agency also, seized 203, 879 tablets of various pharmaceutical opioids and illicit substances in raids across Abia, Kaduna, Yobe and Kogi states. See below:

Meanwhile, five members of a syndicate, which conducts fake recruitment into security agencies, have been arrested in coordinated operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi states, according to the statement.

“Leader of the gang, Yakubu Sani was first arrested in Gusau, Zamfara state. His criminal gang issues fake NDLEA employment letters and identity cards to unsuspecting members of the public for the sum of N400, 000 per person.”

A follow up operation in Zuru, Kebbi state led to the arrest of another gang member, Ibrahim Isah, while three others, Dahiru Musa Limanchi, Gambo Danladi and Umar Abubakar were nabbed in Bauchi state.”

Recovered from them include: “a fake NDLEA ID card; NDLEA guarantor form; INEC offer of appointment letter Nigerian Customs Special Replacement Form and appointment letter, Nigerian Correctional Service Replacement Form, Credentials of some Applicants, Receipts and passport photos, Five sim packs and one MTN SIM card.” The statement explained.

The Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Abia, Kaduna, Yobe, Rivers and Kogi for the arrests and seizures.

He equally acknowledged the well-conducted operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi that nailed five members of a criminal gang scamming innocent job seekers with fake employment letters.

He charged them and their compatriots across all Commands not to rest on their oars but should continue to aspire to beat previous records.

Ime N