Operatives of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a consignment of Indian hemp and other psychoactive drugs hidden in the engine compartment of a commercial bus travelling interstate.

Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the drugs, weighing at least 5.2kg, were intercepted on Thursday on Gbongan-Ibadan Road in Osun.

He added that the 35-year-old bus driver, who took responsibility for the concealment, was taken into custody for investigation.

“On Wednesday, the previous day, a 26-year-old lady, who produces and distributes ‘skuchies’ was arrested in Osogbo, during a raid on her hideout.

“At least 16.5 litres of skuchies and different quantities of molly and Indian hemp were recovered from her during the raid,’’ Mr Babafemi stated.

Molly acts both as a stimulant and hallucinogen, producing an energising effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhancing the enjoyment of tactile experiences.

Mr Babafemi also stated that NDLEA operatives arrested a 70-year-old grandfather, and a 65-year-old man in Borno on Saturday for drug trafficking. They were arrested in Maiduguri and Gamboru-Ngala, respectively, alongside a 24-year-old and a 28-year-old.

He said 32,000 ampoules of tramadol injection were recovered from them.

“Also on Saturday, NDLEA operatives at Geidam in Yobe intercepted a Volkswagen Golf 3 car heading to Gagamari in the Niger Republic.

“The 28-year-old driver was to deliver 40 blocks of Indian hemp weighing 24.5kg to a dealer.

“Forty-two cartons, containing 8,400 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,260kg, were also recovered from a 29-year-old driver on Katsina Road, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 5.

“In Kano State, a 35-year-old was arrested for being in possession of 62 kg of Indian hemp at Gadar Tamburawa area, where a 40-year-old was also nabbed with 244 bottles of codeine syrup,’’ he stated.

Mr Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives also arrested a 28-year-old man on Kano-Maiduguri Road on Thursday with 49,800 pills of tramadol.

“In Lagos State, NDLEA operatives arrested a man at Igbo Elerin area on Wednesday and seized 84 litres of ‘skuchies’, 1.1 litres of codeine syrup, 4 kg of Indian hemp and 800 tablets of tramadol from him,’’ he stated.

The NDLEA spokesman also stated that operatives arrested at least eight suspects on Friday when they raided the notorious Karu abattoir drug joint in the FCT.

The operatives recovered 51.3kg of Indian hemp in the raid.

In Plateau, two suspects, aged 45 and 38 were arrested on Monday, March 4, at Zawan, Jos South Local Government Area, while in possession of Indian hemp weighing 611.438kg.

Mr Babafemi also stated that NDLEA officers intercepted a Zaria, Kaduna State-bound commercial bus from Onitsha, Anambra, on Wednesday, March 6, in Kogi.

He added that NDLEA operatives also intercepted 8,580 pills of tramadol and exol-5 from a 40-year-old suspect on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway in the outgone week.

“In Enugu, operatives raided some lockup shops at New Market on March 5 and seized 371.42kg Indian hemp and 9.49g of methamphetamine,’’ Mr Babafemi also stated.

He added that the NDLEA chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended its officers in Borno, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Osun, Lagos, Plateau, Enugu, Yobe, and FCT for jobs well done in the outgone week.

(NAN)