NDLEA intercepts illicit drug consignments concealed in baby food, clothes

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and clothing destined for the United States and the United Kingdom.

These operations took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos.

One significant seizure included 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis hidden in six cartons of tins branded as Nestle Cerelac baby food. Each carton contained six tins, which were tampered with at the bottom to conceal the drugs, while the tops remained factory-sealed.

This consignment, weighing a total of 18.50 kilograms, was intercepted at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport on July 31, 2024. The freight agent, Salaudeen Suliat Abiola, who presented the consignment for export to the UK, was arrested. A follow-up operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, led to the arrest of the sender, Bello Motunrayo Folu, on August 3, at her residence.

Additionally, five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances were intercepted in Lagos. These included promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine, which were concealed in clothes and other items meant for export to the US and the UK. One shipment containing 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was headed to the US, while the other four parcels, consisting of over two kilograms of opioids like tramadol 225mg, Molly, and NPS, were bound for the UK. These shipments were intercepted on July 29 at a logistics company in Lagos.

Further, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan port in Lagos recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, from the body compartments of four vehicles imported from Canada.

These vehicles included a Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Sienna. The operation, conducted on August 2 in collaboration with the Customs Service and other stakeholders, resulted in the seizure of 38.5 kilograms of cannabis.

Two suspects, Salami Abiodun Sunday and Lekan Atoyebi, were arrested in connection with these consignments.