Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in various products at three courier firms in Lagos.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced the operation in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Babafemi, the seized drugs were hidden in ladies’ sanitary pads and hair treatment creams, with the consignments destined for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus.
“In one of the logistics companies, not less than 30 parcels of cocaine, weighing 1.1 kilograms, were concealed in hair cream containers,” Babafemi said.
“They were recovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) during the examination of cargoes heading to Ireland on Tuesday, September 3,” he continued.
Additionally, operatives intercepted a shipment of 200 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections concealed in food items and herbs, destined for London, UK, on Wednesday, September 4.
“On Friday, September 6, NDLEA operatives also intercepted another consignment of tramadol 225mg hidden in granulated melon.
This shipment came from Cameroon and was bound for South Africa,” Babafemi added.
In a separate operation, officers seized over 550,000 pills of tramadol at the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) in Port Harcourt on Monday, September 2.
The pills were discovered during a joint examination of cargo that arrived from Delhi, India, in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service.
“A suspect has already been arrested in connection with the seizure,” Babafemi confirmed.
The NDLEA continues to intensify its efforts in curbing drug trafficking both locally and internationally.
