NDLEA Intercepts 354,000 Opioid Tablets, Arrests Trafficker

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol and arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, who was trafficking 32.74 kilogrammes of cannabis. Jessie was apprehended at Port Harcourt International Airport after arriving from Thailand via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight, with the drugs concealed in two bags.

Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy for NDLEA, stated that Jessie had previously trafficked drugs through other African countries. Additionally, NDLEA operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol weighing 307.20 kilogrammes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which were shipped from Pakistan.

This consignment was under surveillance since its arrival on September 29 and was uncovered on October 6. In another operation, 70 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid, weighing 75.90 kilogrammes were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of a clearing agent and identification of other suspects linked to the consignment.