Two arrested as NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs ‘hidden in duvet’ at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted a consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in a duvet for export to the United Kingdom.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the illicit cargo was discovered on January 21 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said two suspects linked to the consignment, Adakole Sunday and Austin Balogun, were arrested by operatives at the airport.

“Six parcels of the psychoactive substance, with a gross weight of 3.50 kilograms, were hidden inside the duvet,” the statement reads.

“In his statement, Austin Balogun, identified as the main agent who hired Adakole, confessed that he was paid N700,000 to facilitate the shipment to the UK. However, he admitted to using a portion of the funds for export handling charges and spending the bulk on securing an apartment.”

Babafemi said in a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun, during a raid at Igbo Olumo in Ikorodu.

The operatives recovered seven liters of Skuchies, a psychoactive substance made from black currant, cannabis, and opioids.

Other items seized include three locally made double-barrel rifles, one locally made double-barrel pistol, one English-made pistol, one locally made single-barrel rifle, three cartridges, an empty 9mm cartridge, and an iron-head axe.

“Another raid in Lagos on Sunday 19th January led to the seizure of 47kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, and 25.46kg Nitrous Oxide popularly known as laughing gas at the notorious Akala area of Mushin,” the statement reads.

“In Ekiti, a 26-year-old suspect Adepoju Taiwo was arrested by NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd January with 1.950kg Canadian Loud at Iworoko road, Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while Auwal Sani was nabbed by operatives on Monday 20th January at Bode Saadu in Moro local government area of Kwara State. A total of 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 36.56kg were recovered from him.”