The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol worth over N6.98 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.
The consignment, shipped from India and declared as maize starch, was found to contain tramadol hydrochloride concealed in 349 bags, according to laboratory analysis.
The agency also seized 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis valued at N165 million, at the Tincan Port. The substance was hidden inside a Toyota Sienna in a 40-foot container.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided a store in Idumota and arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu, recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam and 6,500 tablets of Molly.
Two other suspects, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested in separate operations in Mushin with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of cannabis, respectively.
The agency also intercepted a truck along the Iyana Oba axis carrying 18,000 tablets of tramadol concealed in cartons labelled as insecticide. Two suspects, identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru, were arrested.
In Edo State, six suspects were arrested during raids conducted between October 15 and 16 in several communities in Owan East Local Government Area. Among them was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Another suspect, Ayo Aigberadion, was arrested with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis, while other suspects were found with varying quantities of cannabis and other controlled substances.
In Ondo State, operatives destroyed a three-hectare cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest, with the plants estimated to weigh 7,500 kilogrammes. Five suspects were arrested, while additional cannabis and related substances were recovered in separate operations across the state.
The agency also recorded seizures and arrests in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory.
In Bauchi, officers intercepted a suspect carrying 894,800 pills identified as tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets. They also recovered 265 kilogrammes of cannabis from an abandoned vehicle along the Bauchi-Gombe road.
In Kano, two suspects were arrested along the Zaria-Kano road with 30,100 tablets of tramadol, while another suspect was found with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
At the airport, a 16-year-old passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, was arrested while preparing to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah via Addis Ababa. The agency said she was carrying 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil. Her cousin, who allegedly supplied the substance, was subsequently arrested.
In Kaduna, three suspects were arrested with 496.5 kilogrammes of cannabis, while another suspect was found with 49,500 tablets of tramadol. In Abuja, an operation in Utako led to the arrest of a suspect with 29,500 tramadol capsules.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse awareness campaign in schools and other institutions across several states.
The agency’s chairman, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse across the country.