The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, bound for Saudi Arabia, while uncovering 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol valued at more than N6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The operations, conducted across several states, also led to the seizure of large quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other controlled substances, with dozens of suspects arrested, including an 85-year-old grandmother in Edo State.

At the Kano airport on Friday, October 16, NDLEA operatives intercepted Fatimah Ahmad during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa. A search of the gallon of palm oil in her possession revealed 511.75 grammes of cannabis.

Ahmad reportedly told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the container. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.

At the Apapa Port, a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies on October 2 uncovered a shipment of powdered tramadol from India, falsely declared as maize starch.

Laboratory tests confirmed the substance was tramadol hydrochloride powder.

The consignment, separated from its concealment on October 14, comprised 349 bags weighing 8,725kg, with an estimated street value of more than N6.98 billion.

At the Tin Can Island Port on October 12, operatives also discovered 55kg of Canadian Loud, valued at N165 million, hidden in a Toyota Sienna inside a 40-foot container.

In another Lagos operation, officers raided Idumota Market on October 14 and arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu, recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.

The following day, two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, both 35, were arrested in Mushin with 59.95kg and 61.23kg of skunk respectively.

At Iyana Oba, a truck intercepted on October 15 yielded 18,000 tablets of tramadol, each containing 250mg, concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.

The suspects arrested were identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, the loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru.

In Edo State, six suspects were arrested during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Council between October 15 and 16.

Among them was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179kg of skunk in Warake. Other arrests led to the recovery of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol, diazepam and other substances.

In Ondo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode Camp Forest on October 17, destroying an estimated 7,500kg of skunk cultivated on three hectares of land. Five suspects were arrested, while 92 bags of cannabis weighing 1,267kg, 11kg of cannabis seeds and 3kg of fresh stems were recovered.

In a separate operation in Owo, 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375kg were recovered from the hideout of 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi in Ameyinti.

In Bauchi State, officers intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon driven by Shamsu Garba, 35, at Ragwam village, Katagum Local Council, on October 14. The operation led to the recovery of 894,800 pills of tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets.