NDLEA foils UK-bound Cannabis concealed in Duvet at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled a shipment of cannabis, commonly referred to as “Loud,” hidden in a duvet and bound for the United Kingdom.

In a statement released on Sunday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the consignment was seized on Tuesday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Two suspects, Adakole Sunday, and Austin Balogun, were arrested in connection with the discovery.

According to the statement, six parcels of cannabis weighing 3.5 kilograms were concealed within the duvet.

Austin Balogun, identified as the primary agent behind the shipment, confessed that he was paid ₦700,000 for the job, but part of the funds were spent on export charges, while the rest was used to secure accommodation.

Further investigations led to a raid in Ikorodu, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives uncovered a hideout and seized weapons along with “skuchies,” a psychoactive mixture of blackcurrant, cannabis, and opioids.

Suspects Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun were arrested during the operation. Items recovered included seven liters of “skuchies,” three locally made double-barrel rifles, one single-barrel rifle, an English-made pistol, cartridges, and an iron-headed axe.

Another raid in the Akala area of Mushin on January 19 led to the confiscation of 47kg of “skunk” (a potent cannabis strain) and 25.46kg of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.

The agency’s operations extended beyond Lagos. In Ekiti State, a 26-year-old suspect, Adepoju Taiwo, was apprehended on January 23 with 1.95kg of Canadian Loud. In Kwara State’s Moro Local Government Area, Auwal Sani was arrested on January 20 with 50,000 tramadol pills weighing 36.56kg.

In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects, including A Nigerian, Abubakar Lami, along with Abba Sani and Auwal Aliyu, at Gadar Tamburawa. They seized 13.1kg of skunk and 125 liters of a psychoactive substance known as “suck and die.”

Additionally, in the Dawakin Kudu area, a cannabis plantation was discovered and destroyed, with one suspect, Sabo Ali Muhammad, apprehended.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), praised the officers involved and reiterated the agency’s dedication to fighting drug trafficking and preventing substance abuse.