NDLEA intercepts colos shipments from UK

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria has intercepted two shipments of synthetic cannabis, known as Colorado or Colos, originating from the United Kingdom. Additionally, two more consignments of Colos were found hidden inside music speakers at motor parks in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects. The NDLEA's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced these seizures in a statement on Sunday.

At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized a consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg. A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested after collecting a large luggage using a secret collection code sent by his brother in the UK. Further investigations led to the arrest of Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who was found with 12.25kg of Colorado and claimed it was sent by his brother in the UK.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a music speaker containing three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza Maza, Lagos, destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and ultimately, Liberia. Tour agent Ifeanyi Obed Augustine and the consignment owner, Obasi Ugochukwu, were arrested following a sting operation.

In Delta State, separate operations resulted in the seizure of various substances, including pentazocine injection, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam, and MDMA, concealed in music speakers. Suspects Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi were arrested. In Kano, a 20-year-old suspect, Saidu Adamu, was arrested with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.

The NDLEA also reported the destruction of 4,832.56kg of skunk on cannabis farms in various forest areas in Edo State. In Ondo State, 186kg of skunk was recovered concealed in a Toyota Avalon car, with the 58-year-old suspect planning to move the consignment to Jos. In Kaduna State, a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested with 369.6kg of cannabis, and four others were arrested in Bayelsa State with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.

The NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities across the country, including enlightenment lectures, advocacy visits, and community interactions. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, urged the officers of DOGI to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control and urged them to shut down pipelines used by drug cartels at various entry points.