TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 185 parcels of cannabis concealed inside vehicles imported from Montreal, Canada, at the Tincan seaport, Apapa, Lagos.

Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, director, media and advocacy, NDLEA, said the drugs were meant for distribution ahead of the Christmas celebration.

He said the consignment of cannabis Indica, weighed 61.3kgs, was seized during a joint examination of a container at the seaport.

Babafemi said the container marked MSCU5206726 from Montreal, Canada, was declared as containing three units of used vehicles.

“But upon a 100% examination, it was found to contain two vehicles; a 2009 Toyota Corolla car and a 2009 Ford Econoline bus as well as used car engines, bicycles, shoes and other items including the drugs,” the statement reads.

“Two dock workers: Abdulquadri Abdulazeez and Ogbuji Kenneth, are already in NDLEA custody in connection with the seizure following their initial arrest by the port security and the police.”

Meanwhile, Babafemi said smuggled bottled cannabis juice with a gross weight of 16.50kgs was also discovered during the search of a consolidated cargo from South Africa at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) import shed of the Lagos airport on December 21.

“Investigations by anti-narcotics officers subsequently led to the arrest of four freight agents: Soremekun Olalekan Wasiu; Olufisayo Dayo; Moruf Olusegun Bashir and Imole Moses Ajayi,” he said.

“The suspects’ statements eventually led to the arrest of the consignee, a wine shop business owner, Emebede Chuka, the following day, December 22.”