The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that its operatives have destroyed 65,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on farmlands in Delta State during separate operations that also led to the arrest of two suspects. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said operatives, supported by soldiers, carried out raids at Ejeonu village in Ukwuani Local Government Area and Orogun village in Ughelli North Local Government Area between May 10 and May 12.
According to him, operatives destroyed 27,500 kilograms of skunk planted on 11 hectares of farmland at Ejeonu village on Sunday, May 10, and recovered an additional 22.9 kilograms of the substance. Babafemi said a 52-year-old suspect, Ifeanyichukwu Peter, was later arrested during a follow-up operation at Obiaruku.
He added that another raid at Orogun village on Tuesday, May 12, led to the destruction of 37,500 kilograms of skunk cultivated on 15 hectares of farmland, while 55.4 kilograms were recovered from the site. A 30-year-old suspect, Godwin Vincent Osadera, was also arrested in connection with the operation, according to the agency.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in cartons bound for the United Kingdom and Australia at a courier company in Lagos. Babafemi said the seizures were made on Friday, May 15, during the examination of export shipments.
He said 170 grams of cocaine concealed inside the walls of a carton containing clothes heading to Australia were recovered. The agency also recovered 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection hidden in another carton destined for the United Kingdom.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives arrested a 29-year-old businessman, Ogadi Peter, accused of producing drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social gatherings. The suspect was arrested at his residence in the Life Camp area of the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, May 11, following intelligence reports.
The agency said 800 grams of skunk and 2.70 kilograms of drug-laced cookies were recovered from him. In a separate operation in Ogun State, NDLEA operatives recovered 181 kilograms of skunk from a suspect identified as Aliyu Sani during a raid in the Ogere area on Wednesday, May 13.
