Efforts by drug traffickers to export illicit drugs concealed in vegetables to Qatar were foiled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

A 35-year-old woman, Chidinma Chinenye-Agbazue, was apprehended while attempting to export 20 parcels of cannabis sativa concealed in African salad (Abacha) and dried vegetables to Doha, Qatar.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, stating that the agency’s operatives, in collaboration with the Department of State Security, intercepted Chidinma during clearance at the airport.

Babafemi explained, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have detained a 35-year-old lady, Chidinma Chinenye-Agbazue, after she was caught attempting to export 20 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 10.70kg concealed in African salad popularly called Abacha and dried vegetables to Doha, Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.”

According to Babafemi, Chidinma, who was bound for Doha on Qatar Airways, claimed that she had received the drugs in Lagos and was instructed to traffic them to Qatar.

The NDLEA also made significant arrests and seizures in various locations across the country. Two suspects, Monday Okeke and Chigozie Emeka, were apprehended in Lagos with a large quantity of opioids, tramadol pills, codeine syrup, and Molly. Despite an attempt to bribe NDLEA officers with N5 million, the suspects were arrested, and the bribe money was documented as evidence.

Babafemi emphasized, “An attempt by Okeke to bribe the NDLEA officers with N5m cash was rebuffed while the money was documented as part of exhibits to prosecute the suspects in court.”

Additionally, in Bayelsa, three suspects were intercepted while attempting to smuggle opioids to the creeks. Similarly, suspects were arrested in Ogun, Taraba, Abia, Ondo, and Kano states in connection with drug-related offenses.