The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized consignments of cocaine and ‘loud’, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles in Lagos.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja stated that the seized drugs were also concealed in game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’ native wear.

Mr Babafemi said that the consignments were smuggled in and out through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and some courier firms in Lagos.

He said that the NDLEA operatives also arrested some of the suspects linked to them.

According to him, a businessman, Owolabi Alebiosu, was arrested on Thursday, July 18, at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos, residence.

“This happened after a consignment of 40 parcels of ‘Loud’ weighing 20.30 kilogrammes hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker sets were intercepted.

“They were brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight and seized at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed at the Lagos airport.

“The consignments were intercepted during a joint examination of the cargo with men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

“A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits, including some drug paraphernalia, such as a weighing scale and a cannabis potency test kit.

“Also, four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house,” he stated.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) plc export shed of the MMIA intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan on Friday, July 19.

Mr Babafemi said that the bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of ‘Loud’, both weighing 1.360 kg.

“Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Ogechi Eze, who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan.

“She said it was based on the instructions of her brother, Nnamdi Eze, based in a South Asian country, he said.

Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses on Thursday, July 18.

Mr Babafemi said that the suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana, on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Emirates Airline.

According to him, a thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of ‘loud’ weighing 2.10 kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wear.

“The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai,” Mr Babafemi added.

In the same vein, not less than 4.5 kg of the same substance concealed inside the door panels and boot of an imported Toyota RAV 4 vehicle were recovered.

Mr Babafemi said that the drugs that were seized on Sunday, July 14, were found in a container marked MSDU 5656394 from Canada during a 100 percent search of the container at Tincan Port in Lagos.

He said that two suspects, Dada Kole and Alaba Oladewusi, have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old one-legged man, Amadu Garba, was arrested by NDLEA operatives in his house in Yawuri town, Kebbi State.

Mr Babafemi said that the suspect was found with six bags of cannabis weighing 67 kg on Tuesday, July 16.

(NAN)