NDLEA Thwarts Smuggling Attempt of 14.5 Tons of “Ghanaian Loud” Linked to Wanted Drug Baron
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a massive shipment of “Ghanaian Loud,” a potent strain of Indian hemp, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana. This significant seizure underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and curb the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.
Interception Operation
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the interception operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, January 28, 2024, at the Ojuelegba area of Lagos. The agency’s operatives trailed and intercepted two trucks and a J5 bus, all loaded with the contraband substance. Despite two drivers fleeing the scene, NDLEA managed to apprehend a 66-year-old suspect who had been working with a notorious drug baron based in Mushin, Lagos, for several years.
Escalating Efforts Against Drug Trafficking
The seizure of the “Ghanaian Loud” shipment is part of NDLEA’s intensified efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking networks operating within and outside Nigeria. Babafemi emphasized that the agency has been actively pursuing the wanted drug baron linked to several drug shipments worth billions of naira over the past three years. Despite the fugitive’s evasion of authorities, NDLEA remains steadfast in its commitment to apprehending him and dismantling his criminal enterprise.
Nationwide Operations and Arrests
In addition to the Lagos interception, NDLEA operatives have conducted various arrests and seizures across different states in Nigeria. From the apprehension of suspects involved in burglary and drug trafficking in Lagos to the discovery and destruction of illicit drug farms in Kogi, the agency’s operations span multiple regions. Notably, arrests were made in Kaduna, Ondo, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Kabba-Bunu, reflecting NDLEA’s nationwide reach and determination to combat drug-related crimes.
Continued Vigilance and Enforcement
As NDLEA remains vigilant in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, the agency urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking. Through coordinated enforcement operations and community engagement initiatives, NDLEA seeks to safeguard communities from the scourge of drug addiction and organized crime.
