The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted shipments of methamphetamine and Loud, a potent strain of synthetic cannabis, worth billions of naira, concealed in automobile spare parts imported from Canada.
The illicit drugs, intended for distribution during the Christmas and New Year festivities, were seized at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos following months of intelligence-driven operations across three continents.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, describing the operation as a groundbreaking achievement in NDLEA’s anti-narcotics efforts.
“Multi-billion-naira worth of shipments of methamphetamine and Loud, hidden in automobile spare parts from Canada, have been intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Tincan Seaport after months of intelligence-driven tracking across three continents,” Babafemi stated.
For the first time in its history, the NDLEA recovered two consignments of methamphetamine weighing 83.301 kilograms.
The shipments were destined for warehouses in the Ladipo automobile parts market in Mushin, Lagos.
Babafemi detailed the operation:
On December 12, operatives examined a container at the Sifax bonded terminal, uncovering 5.001kg of methamphetamine hidden in a bag inside a Toyota Camry.
A suspect, Isaac Onwumere, was arrested.
On December 13, another container was examined, revealing 1,735 parcels of Loud weighing 867.5kg and 78.3kg of methamphetamine concealed in six coolers.
Two businessmen, Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The street value of the seized methamphetamine and Loud was estimated at ₦124.9 million and ₦2.17 billion, respectively.
Babafemi highlighted the meticulous tracking process, which began in October when NDLEA intelligence flagged the shipments in Toronto, Canada.
The consignments were monitored through their transit in Europe and eventual arrival in Lagos.
In a related operation, the NDLEA intercepted 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, worth ₦4.5 billion, at the Onne Port in Rivers State.
The shipments, originating from India, were discovered during a joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, customs officials, and other security agencies between December 9 and 13.
“These seizures represent a significant blow to drug trafficking networks and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and safety,” Babafemi added.
The NDLEA emphasized its resolve to intensify intelligence operations and called on the public to support the fight against drug-related crimes by providing credible information.
