NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in snails, electrical bulbs, arrests two suspects
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails and rechargeable electrical bulbs, destined for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the interceptions were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, and a courier company in Lagos.
According to Mr Babafemi, two suspects linked to the smuggling attempts have been arrested.
He said Boladale Riliwan, a cargo agent, was arrested on October 7 after operatives discovered 15 parcels of skunk concealed in 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs prepared for shipment to the DRC.
Mr Babafemi added that a UK-based public health assistant, Olawale Hakeemot, 48, was arrested on October 12 at the departure hall of Terminal 2, MMIA, while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom.
According to the NDLEA, Ms Hakeemot had 2,300 pills of Tramadol 225mg hidden inside frozen snails in her luggage.
The agency also foiled another attempt on October 16 by a syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam concealed in female clothing to the United States through a courier company in Lagos.
In a related operation in Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives arrested Bello Buba at an agency checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area, with 38,270 pills of Tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic.
Mr Babafemi, however, said the suspect drove from the Benin Republic to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria before he was nabbed.
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