The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed it has uncovered consignment of drugs hiden in bars of native soaps being trafficked to the United Kingdom (UK) and has cautioned travellers to be careful and think twice while helping others deliver parcels on any trip.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy gave a breakdown of feats, achieved by its operatives in the past week, in a Sunday statement.
Babafemi revealed that a consignment of 3.20kg skunk concealed in bars of native soap, popularly called black soap was intercepted at Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
He said the consignment, which was heading to the United Kingdom (UK) was intercepted on Wednesday and one Olowokudejo Oladele Tonyi, a freight agent involved in the attempt to export the illicit drug was arrested.
Warning the general public while posting pictures of the consignment, Babafemi wrote:
“These are not maggi cubes or soap tablets but illicit drugs concealed in native black soap heading to the United Kingdom.
“They were discovered and seized by @ndlea_nigeria officers at the Lagos airport.
“Always think twice before taking any parcel on any trip from anyone.”
Babafemi further revealed that on Tuesday, the NDLEA also uncovered a secret Laboratory producing Methamphetamine, an illicit drugs, in a residential community in Ikeja, Lagos state.
He explained that following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives raided clandestine laboratory located at No. 4 Bode Oluwo Street, Mende, Maryland Ikeja, and discovered packaged sachets of the drug and various precursor chemicals used in the production, which were all recovered and confiscated.
He said the duplex in which the illicit products are being produced have been sealed by the Agency, and efforts are in top gear to apprehend the fleeing owner of the house and other members of the syndicate.
Wasiu Saliu and Afolabi Banjo, were also apprehended with 247kg of skunk at Oyingbo area of lagos while Tijani Damilola was arrested with 12.5 litres of skuchies and 98kg of cannabis sativa at Isheri.
Akinwale Taiwo Bolutife, a cargo agent was caught at the MMIA, trying to export 3,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg, hidden in women attachments to Liberia while Emmanuel Onah was was caught in Benue with 61,790 pills of Tramadol on Thursday.
Brig. Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, has commended his men and charged them and their counterparts across the country to remain vigilant and keep their focus in the fight against illicit drugs in the country.