Funke Busari, Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Monday have recovered 58.5 grammes of cocaine and 13.9 grammes of heroine concealed in the palace of a prominent traditional ruler, (names withheld) in Anambra State.
Already, the agency is investigating how the illicit drugs were hidden in the palace.
The palace guards are helping in tracing the dealer behind the consignment, according to Muhammadu Misbahu Idris, the Anambra state Commander of the NDLEA.
Meanwhile, the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Mr. Femi Babafemi said that a suspected drug trafficker, Hassan Bishi Taiwo is now in the agency’s custody for alledgedly being with three parcels of cocaine concealed in a false bottom created in his suitcase upon arrival on board Ethiopian airlines at 1:30pm on Friday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.
Information has it that he has been plying the illicit trade through the middle east routes for sometime.
He was said to have been intercepted at the E-Arrival hall of the MMIA.
The Commander, MMIA Command of the Agency, Ahmadu Garba, said the NDLEA’S operatives arrested the suspect on arrival.
“The suspect came in to Nigeria through Addis-Ababa but he actually travelled to Addis-Ababa from Abuja. Upon a thorough search, we discovered another ticket on him while our findings also show that he has been plying his criminal trade through some Middle East countries.”
Also, narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos have intercepted 500 grammes of unaccompanied cocaine going to the United Arab Emirates and concealed inside the walls of packed cartons containing clothes.
Additionally, the operatives intercepted in another courier firm one kilogramme of cannabis concealed in cream bottles going to UAE while 500 grammes of ketamine hidden in artefacts and going to the US was also recovered from the same company in Lagos.
Another 480 grammes of unaccompanied methamphetamine going to China was recovered from the same courier campany.
However, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the Commanders, men and officers involved in the operations for their vigilance and charged them to continue with the vigour the offensive action maxim of the new leadership of the lead anti-drug agency.
