Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted illicit drug shipments cleverly concealed inside water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands to Lagos. The seizure took place at a courier facility in Lagos on May 26, according to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The smuggled items included three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, all carefully packed within the water purifiers. This foiled attempt underscores the evolving tactics of drug traffickers attempting to evade detection.
In a separate operation in Kaduna State, NDLEA officers raided a residence in the Gonin Gora area on May 24, arresting a couple, Musa and Mercy Sunday, along with another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel. The raid led to the recovery of 1,246 kilograms of skunk, packed in 100 jumbo bags.
On the same day, a patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway in Jere resulted in the apprehension of Sunusi Musa, a 30-year-old man allegedly transporting 380 rounds of 7.62mm military-grade ammunition destined for Katsina State. The suspect and ammunition were handed over to relevant security authorities for further investigation.
In Niger State, acting on intelligence, operatives stormed a warehouse in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27, confiscating 457 kilograms of skunk. The suspect, Godwin Zakka, aged 46, was later arrested at his home in the Gbeganu area of Minna in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, in Enugu State, NDLEA operatives patrolling the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway on May 28 intercepted a commercial vehicle heading to Taraba State. A search yielded 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 grams of bromazepam. The suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested at the scene.
The NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign, conducting awareness programs in various schools and communities, including Government Secondary School in Adiabo, Cross River State; St Patrick’s Memorial College in Wukari, Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos; and Kings Secondary School in Amawbia, Anambra State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the officers involved in the operations across Kaduna, Niger, and Enugu states, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for their successful arrests and seizures. He urged all operatives to maintain their efforts in reducing drug supply while continuing public education on the dangers of drug abuse.