In the vast and complex world of drug smuggling, a recent raid by NDLEA operatives has shed light on illegal drug export practices. The incident took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where a suspicious consignment bound for the United Kingdom was intercepted.
Authorities discovered 924 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 135.70kg, and 5,250 Rohypnol tablets carefully concealed in cartons of food items. The cargo agent involved in the case, Owojori Olanrewaju, was apprehended on the spot, while further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Temitope.
Temitope claimed that his mother, Adewunmi Adebola, aged 58, had asked him to hand over the consignment to the export agent. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Mrs Adewunmi in Ibadan, where she is engaged in the business of exporting foodstuffs and commodities.
Officer Owojori’s revelations shed light on his collaboration with Adewunmi in exporting commodities to the United Kingdom. He confessed to receiving N2.4 million for the job, and N2.1 million for a previous consignment handled for the businesswoman.
Also, on the same date, other cartons of auto parts and custard powder destined for Congo-Brazzaville were seized at the Lagos airport. A thorough search revealed 300g of cocaine concealed in the custard containers, along with auto parts. The sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, was arrested in Lagos.
In parallel, NDLEA investigators arrested two brothers, Ikechukwu Ikeabba and Ugochukwu Ikeabba, suspected of supporting drug traffickers specializing in the ingestion of narcotics destined for Vietnam. These arrests follow an in-depth investigation conducted after the interception of a trafficker from Onitsha, Ibeanusi Nosike, who had ingested 68 sachets of cocaine.
The revelations from these operations underscore the need to strengthen control and surveillance systems at airports to combat drug trafficking. Increased vigilance by the authorities and international cooperation are essential to combat this scourge which threatens public health and safety worldwide.