NDLEA intercepts cannabis shipment at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a cannabis shipment, popularly known as “Loud,” concealed in a duvet and destined for the United Kingdom.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency disclosed that the consignment was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Two suspects, Adakole Sunday and Austin Balogun, were arrested in connection with the discovery.

According to the statement, six parcels of the psychoactive substance, weighing a total of 3.50 kilograms, were hidden inside the duvet.

The statement maintained that investigations revealed that Austin Balogun, the primary agent, allegedly hired Adakole Sunday to handle the consignment.

It explained that Balogun admitted to receiving ₦700,000 for the job, part of which was spent on export handling charges, while the remainder was used to rent an apartment.

The NDLEA also conducted a series of raids in Lagos, leading to significant recoveries.

A raid in the Ikorodu area uncovered a hideout where skuchies, a dangerous psychoactive mixture containing black currant, cannabis, and opioids were being produced. Officers also confiscated a cache of weapons during the operation.

At least two suspects, Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun, were arrested at the scene in Igbo Olomu, Ikorodu. Items recovered included seven liters of skuchies, three locally-made double-barrel rifles, one locally-made double-barrel pistol, one English-made pistol, one locally-made single-barrel rifle, three cartridges, one empty 9mm cartridge, and an iron-headed axe.

Additionally, another operation in the Akala area of Mushin on January 19 resulted in the seizure of 47 kilograms of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis) and 25.46 kilograms of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.

The NDLEA’s crackdown extended beyond Lagos. In Ekiti State, a 26-year-old suspect, Adepoju Taiwo, was arrested on January 23 with 1.95 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain.

Meanwhile, in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, operatives apprehended Auwal Sani on January 20. Sani was found in possession of 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, weighing a total of 36.56 kilograms.

The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against drug trafficking, production, and misuse nationwide.

On Saturday, January 24, 2025, NDLEA Tincan Island Port Strategic Command announced that the command seized 339,576.91 kilograms of illicit substances, including cocaine and heroin, valued at ₦134.2 billion in 2024 alone.

FRCN