By Joke Kujenya
IN ITS continued fight against drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made another significant strides with the interception of a substantial codeine shipment from India and a series of successful raids across Nigeria.
Barely a week after seizing 175,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives intercepted another consignment of 175,000 bottles of codeine on June 7.
The container, originating from India, was stopped en route to the C to C bonded terminal in Enugu, during a joint operation with the Customs Service and other security agencies, included 875 cartons of codeine, weighing 26,250kg.
In a separate operation on June 5, NDLEA officers intercepted five parcels of illicit drugs hidden in ladies’ clothes and synthetic hair destined for the United States and the United Kingdom.
Among the seized items were 620 ampoules of pentazocine injection and other opioids.
Further raids resulted in numerous arrests and drug seizures across various states.
Highlights include the arrest of a Nigerien national with 4,000 pills of diazepam and cannabis concealed in pesticide tanks in Kebbi State, and the seizure of 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam in Gombe State.
Additional operations saw significant drug recoveries in Benue, Bauchi, Yobe, Oyo, and Kogi states, with arrests involving large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, and codeine-based syrups.
Also in the Federal Capital Territory, nine suspects were apprehended with 83.01kg of cannabis.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative also saw extensive sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
These efforts included educational lectures and advocacy visits aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse.
Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), as he is wont to do, commended the operatives for their dedication and urged them to maintain their zeal and commitment to reducing drug supply and promoting awareness across the country.
