The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered 15 parcels of cannabis and 600 grams of tramadol concealed in a sack of crayfish for export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
According to a statement on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, the attempt was thwarted by NDLEA operatives who seized the consignment, and arrested a freight agent, Osahor Ekwueme, who presented it for export.
Babafemi said that the agency also arrested a drug trafficker, Ifeanyi Egbuwaohia in the Igando area of Lagos State.
He said the arrest came weeks after the NDLEA operatives intercepted 5.20 kilograms of cannabis at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO). The illicit items were concealed in kegs of palm oil enroute Dubai.
The NDLEA spokesman said that Egbuwaohia, who was arrested at the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was the brain behind the seized consignments.
“Though Ifeanyi works as a technician at Computer Village, Ikeja. But beneath his known business, he also works with a drug network in Dubai, where he sends illicit drugs for distribution.
“Few hours after his arrest, another consignment of 2.60 kilograms of the same substance sent by him for export to Dubai was also intercepted by operatives at the airport.
“Another consignment of 1.30 kilograms of cannabis concealed in reconstructed engine blocks going to Dubai have also been seized.
“It was intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc export shed, while two persons – Olatunji Temiola and Osemojoye Sunday – have been arrested in connection to the bid”, Babafemi said.
