NDLEA intercepts 20kg of cannabis at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested one Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu over possession of illicit drugs.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the suspect was arrested on July 18 at his Lagos residence.

The NDLEA said 40 parcels of loud — a synthetic strain of cannabis — weighing 20.30kg and belonging to him, were found hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set.

Reportedly brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight, the items were intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination.

“A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki,” the statement reads.

“A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.”

The agency added that it intercepted two jumbo bags containing cocaine.

“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday 19th July intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan,” Babafemi added.

“The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg.

“Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise based in the South Asia country.

“Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on Thursday 18th July intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi Amen, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses.

“The suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline.

“A thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of Loud weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies’ native wears.

“The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai.”