The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have raided a warehouse containing a large consignment of codeine-based syrup.

The anti-drug agency said the warehouse was discovered in the Kirikiri area of Lagos state.

In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said four suspects were arrested in connection with the warehouse.

“NDLEA operatives in Lagos state have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri, where four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility,” Babafemi said.

“Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56, while a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600 million in street value, Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance were recovered from the premises on Monday 10th June 2024 when NDLEA officers conducted the operation.”

The NDLEA also arrested another suspect — Ibrahim Abdulhamid — with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup in the Alaba area of Ojo LGA, Lagos.

OTHER ARRESTS

In Abia state, NDLEA operatives raided an alleged drug cartel and arrested two suspects — Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi — for allegedly running the cartel.

The suspects were nabbed after NDLEA operatives raided their hideout in Abia and seized “methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1 billion in street value”.

In Ekiti state, the NDLEA operatives destroyed 7.37 hectares of farmland used for planting psychoactive substances.

In Edo state, hectares of farmland used for planting cannabis were destroyed in Uhen forest, Ovia north-east LGA.

The NDLEA operatives also arrested one Emmanuel Ogechi with 11,200 pills of tramadol along Otukpo-Enugu road in Benue state.

Two suspects — Muhammad Abba and Samson Ehizogie — were also arrested with 3,550 bottles of ‘Akuskura’ a new mixture of psychotropic substances.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers at the Tincan Island port in Lagos have intercepted a container loaded with 1,072 kilograms of cannabis worth N3 billion.

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs (CGC), who spoke to journalists on Friday, said the container was imported from Canada.

Adeniyi said the agency is collaborating with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight against illicit drug trafficking.

The customs CG said the agency also seized 877 cartons of cough syrup with codeine imported from India.

“Three plastic drums concealing several packets of Cannabis Indica and 46 bags containing 2,144 packets of Cannabis Indica, all weighing 1,072 kg, were seized from 01x40ft Container No. GAOU 669921/5 imported from Canada,” he said.

“The approximate street value of the illicit substances is N3,216,000,000, while 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine—200 bottles of 100ml per carton—and 82 cartons of really extra diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets—600 packs per carton imported from India—were seized.

“The approximate street value of the cough syrup is N964,339,348.00.”

Adeniyi lamented that some criminal elements are using the network of customs officers and terminal operators to undermine the system.

He added that there is a growing number of containers that are not examined in the ports but are being released to importers.

“The NCS will continue to work closely with relevant national and international agencies to conduct operations that lead to the interception of illegal goods and the disruption of criminal networks,” he added.

“Investigations are ongoing, and perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Let this seizure serve as a warning to those who engage in illicit activities that the NCS remains vigilant and dedicated to protecting our society.”

Two suspects including a final-year student of Delta State University (DELSU) have been arrested over an alleged fake kidnapping.

They were arrested on June 11 after the father of the suspected self-kidnapper — identified as Nelson Eserada — complained to the Abraka division regarding the abduction of his son.

The Department of Banking & Finance student allegedly conspired with his cousin Jerry Lawrence to stage his kidnap in an attempt to extort N50 million in Bitcoin from his father.

While parading the suspects on Thursday, Bright Edafe, the Delta state police PRO, said the suspects “committed a unique kind of offence”.

Edafe said the suspects were in police custody, adding that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.

“Today we will be parading two suspects who this time committed a unique kind of offence. We call it self-kidnapping. They are blood-related. They conspired among themselves and staged a fake kidnap just to extort money from the father,” he said.

“Initially when we got the report, we thought it was a case of kidnapping. But they actually tied the young man and send the video to the father demanding for N50 million in Bitcoin. The father already sent N5 million in bitcoin and one of the suspects has told us that he has spent N2 million from that money and it is remaining N3 million.

“Parents should train their children, if they don’t when they grow up, they might become a mess to you and society.”