NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in mary’s statue, auto spare parts

•Seizes 337.702kg Of Illicit Drugs In Ondo, Akwa Ibom Raids

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives embedded in two courier companies in Lagos have intercepted illicit drugs concealed in the statue of Mary and auto spare parts heading to Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The narcotics agents from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations seized 500grammes of heroin hidden inside auto spare parts going to Canada, while 140grammes of methamphetamine heading to the Philippines was concealed inside Mary’s statue.

The Director, Operations, and General Investigations, Adeyemi Adeofe disclosed that 3.1kg of cannabis going to UAE concealed inside spices and another kilogramme of cannabis meant for UAE concealed inside local herbs were intercepted and seized.

In a related development, Ondo State Command of the agency has in series of raids between April 6 and 20, 2021, across the state arrested 31 suspects from whom 275.552kg of assorted illicit drugs were recovered.

According to the acting State Commander, Callys Alumona, the sting operations were carried out to curb the increasing rate of drug abuse among youths and even the elderly in Ondo State.

He added that the illicit drugs seized consist of 74.285kgs of cannabis Sativa, 267grammes of psychotropic substances; 201kgs of skuchies (a combination of cannabis, tramadol, ethanol, and zobo), while many of the drug spots have been dismantled.

Meanwhile, operatives of Akwa Ibom State Command intercepted and seized 62.150kg of illicit drugs in Oron and Uyo areas. The State Commander, Mrs. Obot Bassey said four suspects were arrested in the two operations.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd) in his reaction, commended the officers and men of operations and general investigations directorate, as well as those of Ondo and Akwa Ibom states for their steadfastness and commitment to the new operational maxim of offensive action. He charged them to stay focused and do more to rid every part of the country of the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.