NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden in Mortar, Backpack Bound for China, Italy

By Ichie Times News Desk

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine cleverly concealed inside a local mortar and a backpack, both intended for export to China and Italy.

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the seizures were made on July 30 by officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) at a Lagos logistics company.

According to him, 250 grams of cocaine were factory fitted into the base of a traditional mortar packaged for shipment to China, while another 500 grams were concealed in the false bottom of a backpack destined for Italy.

In a related operation in Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 38 year old suspect, Ugo Okonkwo, at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, after acting on intelligence. Recovered from him were quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.

The agency also recorded a major seizure in Anambra State, where officers intercepted a truck at the DMGS Roundabout, Onitsha, loaded with 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing about 3,960 kilograms. The driver, Chinedu Nwanze, was arrested in connection with the shipment.

In Delta State, operatives recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus along the Kwale Ughelli Expressway.

Similarly, in Nasarawa State, a 64 year old suspect, Joseph Nwaeke, was arrested with 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.

In Zamfara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted Sani Umar along the Zaria Gusau Highway with 7,400 tablets of Tramadol 225mg, suspected to be supplies for criminal elements.

Beyond enforcement, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitisation programmes in schools and motor parks across Kano, Oyo and Taraba States.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended officers involved in the successful operations and urged commands nationwide to sustain the agency’s dual strategy of aggressive drug enforcement and public education to curb substance abuse across Nigeria.