The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 4.5kg consignment of Loud coming from the United States at a courier firm in Lagos State.

The NDLEA officer also recovered over 13,391.8 kilograms of skunk in operations in Ogun, Ondo, Edo, and Nasarawa states.

The spokesperson of the anti-drug agency, Femi Babafemi, who made this known via a statement issued on Sunday, August 13, 2023, said 1,955kgs of the illicit substance packed in 139 jumbo bags and stored in the warehouse of a wanted notorious drug dealer, Lekan Jimoh, fondly called Konmo Konmo, in Ado Odo Ota area of Ogun State were recovered in the early hours of Saturday, August 12.

Babafemi disclosed that four suspects – Ogbu Paul Odey, 30; Daniel Osidi, 34; John Iyage, 41; Friday Simon, 28; and Friday James, 24 – were arrested in connection with the seizure and/or destruction of over 10,325.5kgs of cannabis sativa in Iju and Ala forests in Akure, the Ondo State capital, between Wednesday, August 9, and Thursday, August 10.

He added that a 22-year-old suspect, James Aga, was arrested during the raid of an uncompleted building on the outskirts of Utese town in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday, August 11, with 10kg skunk, while 976kg of the same substance was recovered from the building in addition to the recovery of four motorcycles.

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The NDLEA spokesman stated that an earlier operation in Utese forest on Tuesday, August 8, led to the recovery of 46.545kgs of skunk.

Babafemi disclosed that 1.581146 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in the forest, while two suspects – Onyelunisue Azuka, 48, and Abraham Ayomide, 30 – were arrested.

He added that a 49-year-old suspect, Umar Abdullahi, was arrested on Friday, August 11, with 64.8kgs of cannabis sativa in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

In his reaction, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the anti-narcotics officers for being proactive and pragmatic in the operations.

Marwa also applauded the NDLEA officers for their zeal and professionalism, urging them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and focused.

The Star