NDLEA Uncovers Hard Drugs Concealed in Prayer Beads, Clothing, Vitamin Bottles

• Authorities foil attempts to smuggle drugs like tramadol, cocaine, and skunk hidden in prayer beads, clothing, and vitamin bottles, destined for international destinations.
• Nationwide operations led to the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, including 479 kg of skunk in Kano, 58,300 tramadol pills in Kogi, and 40,200 pills in Kwara State.
• NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, educating various groups across Nigeria on the dangers of drug abuse while dismantling trafficking networks.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted numerous drug shipments, hidden in various items such as prayer beads and clothing, destined for countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the UAE. Several suspects involved in the illegal trade have been apprehended by the agency.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported that on March 8, a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy.

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A search of her luggage revealed 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and one parcel of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. May confessed to purchasing the drugs to resell in Italy.

In a separate operation, 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla was apprehended on March 11 at the airport’s export shed, attempting to ship 400 grams of skunk hidden in clothing to New York. Additionally, narcotics including Loud, Molly, and tramadol were found concealed in vitamin C bottles and women’s clothing bound for the United States.

Other shipments of drugs were discovered at various logistics companies in Lagos, including 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, locally made shoe soles, and board game packs destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.

Further nationwide crackdowns resulted in significant seizures. In Kano, 479 kg of skunk were seized from 40-year-old Hassan Haruna on March 12. In Kogi, 58,300 tramadol pills were intercepted on March 11 along the Kabba-Obajana highway.

Additionally, in Kaduna, 4,900 tramadol pills were found on March 13, while in Kwara, over 60,000 tramadol pills were intercepted on March 13 and 14.

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In Osun, 48.7 kg of various cannabis strains were found in a commercial bus on March 13, while in Abuja, 27,800 tramadol pills were seized from a 58-year-old man on March 11. In Abia State, operatives raided a community on March 15, arresting Chinaza Nwogu and seizing a variety of drugs along with N753,015 in cash.

NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, educating the public, including students, workers, and religious groups, about the dangers of drug abuse. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the agency’s officers for their commitment to tackling drug trafficking and raising awareness about its harmful effects.

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