Lagos drug raid: NDLEA seizes Opioids worth N16.1bn, arrests key figures
Impounded Opioids
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 25 million pills of tapentadol, an opioid three times stronger than tramadol, along with 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Tincan Port Complex, Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the seizures, made on September 17 and 20, 2024, came from three containers flagged by the agency after processed intelligence. A 100% joint examination was requested with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
“The 25 million pills of tapentadol have an estimated street value of N13.7 billion, while the codeine consignment is valued at N2.45 billion, bringing the total value of the seizures to N16.1 billion,” Babafemi stated.
The tapentadol was packed in 500 cartons, while the codeine was found in two containers, containing a total of 350,000 bottles of Barcadin and CSC cough syrups.
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In another operation on September 20, NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old man, Pa Aremu Shojobi, at his home in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, with 14 kilograms of cannabis. Shojobi admitted to selling illicit drugs for 25 years, sourcing them from Benin Republic and operating from his home daily.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives raided the homes of Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Talba, the community leader and Sarkin Yamma of Badagry West LCDA, on September 18. They recovered 226kg of cannabis from his two wives and son. Talba remains at large.
At his Ashipa home, 57.6kg of cannabis was seized from his wife, Asma’u Bashiru, and his son, Sadat Bashiru. Another search of his Aketegbo residence led to the recovery of 168.6kg of cannabis from his second wife, Hauwa Bashir.
On September 16, NDLEA also seized 390kg of Arizona cannabis from a delivery van in Ojo, Lagos.
