Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stormed forests in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti, destroying 14,654 kilograms of skunk and arresting two suspects even as over 7.6 million pills of tramadol and 76,273.4 kilograms of different strains of cannabis were recovered across the country.
The agency made the disclosure in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
It said the operatives in another operation on Dec. 2 stormed the forests in Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area, Ekiti, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk in two large warehouses that were razed.
Babafemi said that 28.3kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.
“Following actionable intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Dec. 2 raided Igoba forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo state.
“A total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of same substance all weighing 5,442 kilograms were recovered and five suspects arrested.
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“500kg of same substance was recovered from a Mercedes Benz van marked MGU 614 XB by NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger, on Dec. 4 with the driver arrested, “he said.
He further explained operatives in the FCT Abuja on Dec. 3 intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, weighing 22kg at Abaji expressway.
Babafemi said that a follow up operation at the Jabi park in Abuja led to the arrest of a female receiver.
In the FCT, a suspect was arrested by operatives on Friday with 24kg skunk and 573,500 pills of exol-5 along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.
In Lagos, “NDLEA operatives recovered 217 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 113kg from a suspect at Ladipo Market, Mushin.”
Babafemi said that a suspect was seized with 351kg skunk at Onipanu area of the state on Dec. 5, adding that another suspect was arrested with 104.1kg of same psychoactive substance at Trade Fair complex, Ojo, on Dec.2.
“A total of 447.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two Honda Accord cars marked: ABC-678 KK and GGE-772 FB at Agho Forest, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo.
“A suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure. A raid operation at a warehouse in the Isiefve community, Uhunwonde LGA, led to the seizure of 315.8kg of skunk and the arrest of a male suspect.
“With the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others in the past week.”
These include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of St. Michael’s Academy, Sabon Gari, Kano; Harry Pass Secondary School, Masaje, Gboko LGA, Benue; and Community Junior Secondary School, Okuru-Ama, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers, among others.
Meanwhile, the agency has recovered over 7.6 million pills of tramadol and a total of 76,273.4 kilograms of different strains of cannabis.
Babafemi said that the drugs including Colorado, Loud and Skunks had several members of drug trafficking organisations linked to the seizures arrested.
He said that out of the total opioids seized during the raids, not less than 3,874,000 pills of tramadol, 225mg and 100mg, and others as well as 252.2litres of codeine syrup were recovered.
He said that they were recovered from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba, Delta on Saturday.
He also said that at least 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from a suspect on Dec. 3.
This, he said was when NDLEA operatives on patrol at Orogwe, along Onitsha-Owerri Road Imo, intercepted his vehicle conveying the consignment which was loaded at Aba, Abia, heading to Onitsha, Anambra.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa state, NDLEA officers on Dec. 1 intercepted a Toyota HiAce bus marked MGU 554 XB along Maraba-Mubi coming from Jos, Plateau state going to Mubi with a total of 1, 577,112 capsules of tramadol.
“Other drugs intercepted were exol-5 tablets, all concealed inside jumbo bags mixed with new rubber sandals and slippers.
“Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
“Similarly, another 27-year- old suspect, was seized along Zaria-Kano Road, Kano state with 197,000 pills of exol-5,” he said.
Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of SOU, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Ondo, Lagos, Kano, Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa said that their operational successes, along with those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, were well appreciated. (NAN)
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