Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have discovered hidden consignments of cocaine and “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis, in Lagos.

The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, revealed that these drugs were concealed in various items such as incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves, and ladies’ clothing.

According to a statement released on Sunday, the hard drugs were intended to be smuggled in and out of Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Babafemi also mentioned that several suspects were apprehended in connection with the drugs.

Babafemi stated, “A businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu, was on Thursday, 18th July 2024, arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms, hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service.”

He added, “A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as a weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.”

The NDLEA operatives also intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday, 19th July. Babafemi explained, “The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves, and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg. Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi, who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise, based in the South Asian country.”

Another interception at the Lagos airport involved a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi Amen, who was traveling to Dubai via Accra, Ghana. Babafemi detailed, “NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on Thursday, 18th July, intercepted Orobi Adoubi Amen, traveling with a bag containing some female native dresses. A thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of Loud weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wears. The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai.”

The NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the anti-narcotics officers for their successful seizures. He said, “Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated. I urge them not to rest on their oars but to continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”