By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized arms, ammunition with substantial shipments of cocaine, and Colorado, plus a potent strain of cannabis.
The main suspect, Akara Chibugo has been arrested.
NDLEA officials said the items were discreetly hidden within household items and vehicles stored in containers.
The dangerous items were imported from Durban, South Africa, and Canada.
Eagle-eyed NDLEA officials intercepted the materials at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos.
The Director of Media and Advocacy for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi in a release made available to Irohinoodua described the haul as a major drug interception.
A suspect linked to one of the containers, UACU 5348336, bearing the 32.5kg Colorado, 41-year-old Akara Chibugo has already been tracked and arrested by NDLEA operatives.”
Babafemi said arrested suspects are aiding the organisation in locating the people behind the heinous crime.
“Some of the items recovered from the containers include: 1,274 parcels of Cocaine and Colorado with a total weight of 884.09 kilograms,” Babafemi stated, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of the intercepted drugs. In addition to the narcotics, the NDLEA seized four pistols and a cache of ammunition, including 197 rounds of 9mm, 49 rounds of 7.62mm, and 275 rounds of 5.56mm, among others. The containers also contained military personnel effects and various chemicals stored in kegs.
Babafemi said “With the exception of a 32.5kg shipment of Colorado that came in used vehicles from Canada, the rest of the items were found in two of three containers that arrived at the Tincan Port from Durban, South Africa, onboard a vessel marked MSC RESILIENT III and discharged on 31st December 2023.”
He spoke further “Two vigilant freight agents and a traveler escaped being roped into two drug trafficking operations by desperate traffickers.”
