Leadnaija
In a shocking twist that has gripped the nation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of cocaine hidden inside religious books—a brazen attempt to traffic drugs to Saudi Arabia.
The illicit shipment, weighing 500 grammes, was uncovered by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, April 15, at a Lagos-based courier company, according to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.
“The cocaine was carefully concealed in 20 religious books, cleverly hollowed out and stitched shut,” Babafemi revealed.
“The packages were bound for Saudi Arabia but were flagged during a routine cargo inspection.”
Courier Drug Trail Widens
That same day, officers at another Lagos courier firm seized 2.8kg of Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain, hidden in a carton arriving from the United States.
But the courier busts were just the tip of the iceberg.
10 Arrested in Nationwide Drug Raids
In a sweeping series of operations across the country, NDLEA arrested 10 suspects, including:
Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdulaziz, 43, who was caught in Kano with 68 blocks of skunk (30kg).
Muhammad Mohammed, 22, arrested along Bichi-Kano Road while heading to Katsina with 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection strapped to his thighs and private parts using Sellotape. He is suspected of supplying bandits.
In Bayelsa State, a sting operation at a house on Major General Isaiah Allison Street, Opolo led to the seizure of:
- 557.2kg of skunk
- 5.6kg of methamphetamine
- 29.8 grammes of heroin
Four suspects were arrested: Sarimiye Suwa Kurtis, Roland Prosper, Sarimiye Tare Paul, and Fidelis Ugbesla.
More Busts Across Nigeria
In Lagos, 1,100kg of skunk was seized from a delivery van.
In Kaduna, Ike Ani was caught with 31,950 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Diazepam.
In Kebbi, three men — Abubakar Ibrahim, Mustapha Aliyu, and Bashar Lawali — were arrested after 97kg of skunk was found hidden in charcoal sacks.
In Anambra, Okafor Marcel, 48, was nabbed with 11.5kg of skunk in Abatete.
In Osogbo, Osun State, Ajala Mercy, 27, was arrested with 43 litres of ‘skushi’ (a toxic mixture of blackcurrant, cannabis, and opioids).
Cannabis Farms and Cold Cases
Two illegal cannabis farms in Egbeta Forest, Edo State, covering over 1.48 hectares, were raided and 3,717kg of weed destroyed. 136.5kg of processed cannabis was also recovered.
At Tincan Port, Lagos, NDLEA finally apprehended Basorun Usman Kayode, 40, linked to the 2023 seizure of 107kg of Loud smuggled from Canada. He had been on the run for two years.
Another suspect, Dauda Yakubu, was caught distributing drugs within the seaport area. CONTINUE READING
