NDLEA intercepts UK-bound opioid shipment at Lagos airport, arrests businesswoman, freight agent

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested two suspects for attempting to smuggle opioids and cocaine to the United Kingdom (UK) and Congo Brazzaville.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s spokesperson, named the suspects as Adewunmi Dorcas, an Oyo-based businesswoman, and Arinze Ora, an auto parts dealer.

Babafemi said operatives foiled the UK-bound shipment at Lagos International Airport’s export shed on September 6.

He added that a detailed inspection revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup, weighing 135.70 kg, and 5,250 rohypnol tablets, secretly hidden in food containers.

He said Owojori Sunday, a freight agent, was promptly arrested, adding that further investigation led to the arrest of one Adewunmi Temitope, another suspect.

The NDLEA spokesperson said a follow-up operation on September 7 led to the arrest of Adewunmi in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo exports.

“The agent Owojori confessed that he has been working for Mrs Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid N2,411,000.00 for the job, while he was paid N2.1 million for a similar consignment handled for the businesswoman earlier,” the statement reads.

“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the same export shed of the Lagos airport on Wednesday, 11th September intercepted some cartons of auto spare parts and checkers powder custard going to Congo Brazzaville on Ethiopian Airlines.

“A diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grams of cocaine concealed in the containers of checkers powder custard packed together with some auto parts.

“A follow up operation led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, who deals in auto parts at Shop 12, Block 7 Aspanda Trade Fair Auto Parts Wing, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.”