By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered tons of illicit drugs in flight boarding cards and various pills of tramadol and skunk, a strong strain of cannabis sativa.

This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Giving a breakdown, Babafemi said that a suspected drug trafficker was arrested in connection with the seizure of 139 pouches of Canadian Loud in Lagos.

He said that the drugs which were recovered at an apartment in Lekki were with a gross weight of 71kg.

He added that a lady was on Tuesday, Nov. 18, also nabbed in Lekki with 2.6kg Colorado packaged in branded containers and some concealed in flight boarding cards.

Meanwhile, operatives on patrol along Enugu/Onitsha road, Enugu on Wednesday, Nov. 19 intercepted a suspect conveying 10.1kg skunk.

Babafemi said that 105,600 pills of tramadol 250mg, 225mg and 100mg as well as 700 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3000 rounds of live ammunition were also recovered.

Similarly, in Kebbi state, 13,155 bottles of codeine-based syrup were evacuated from a warehouse located at Dole-Kaina, Dandi LGA.

Babafemi said that a 23-year-old suspect was arrested with 12,548 pills of opioids concealed in paracetamol containers heading to a Boko Haram enclave in Mainok area of Borno on Friday, Nov. 21.

“Two suspects were on Monday, Nov. 17 arrested with 430.5kg by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji- Abuja expressway in the FCT.

“Another suspect was arrested at Dikko junction, Kaduna road, Tafa LGA, Niger state on Tuesday, Nov. 18 conveying 85,100 pills of opioids and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup in his Sharon vehicle marked ABJ 114 BV.

“The premises of a suspect in Anguwan Makera Kuta, Shiroro LGA was on Thursday, Nov. 20 raided with 437 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 471.8 kilograms recovered, ” he said.

Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives supported by some military personnel on Monday, Nov. 17 raided the notorious Peti illicit drug enclave, Lagos Island.

Babafemi said that no fewer than 385 kilograms of skunk, Loud and Colorado were recovered and two suspects arrested.

In the same vein, no less than 163,200 capsules of tramadol 225mg were also recovered in another operation at a motor park in Maza Maza area of Lagos.

“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, work places and communities among others in the past week.

“These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Baptist High School, Ilero, Oyo state; St. Michael Anglican Primary School, Afuye Epe, Lagos; Government Day Senior and Junior Secondary School, Kurami, Katsina;

“Also, Women Day Secondary, Kontogora, Niger state; Government Day Secondary School, Takatuku, Sokoto; St. Paul’s College, Eke, Enugu; and Iwoye Area Community High School, Iwoye, Ogun state, among others.”

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has commended the officers and men of Lagos, Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Borno and FCT Commands for the various successful operations.

Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency. (NAN)