— Synthetic Cannabis Concealed in Moimoi Sachets, Canned Food Seized Nationwide
A Chinese businessman and an 80-year-old woman were among several suspects arrested across Nigeria last week in a series of drug enforcement operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which also led to the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances, including synthetic cannabis strains such as Colorado and Canadian Loud.
The NDLEA in a statement on Sunday, through its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the crackdown uncovered sophisticated concealment methods used by traffickers, including hiding drugs in bean pudding (moimoi) sachets and canned food items imported from Canada.
One of the key arrests took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives apprehended a Chinese national, Liang Tak You, on Friday. Acting on intelligence, officers monitored Liang’s journey from Bangkok, Thailand, through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before arresting him at the airport’s arrival hall.
Liang, a naturalized Malaysian based in the country, reportedly flew to Thailand to collect two suitcases containing 50 parcels of Colorado, weighing 26.1 kilogrammes, which he brought into Nigeria.
In another incident, NDLEA operatives in Calabar, Cross River State, arrested 80-year-old Grace Ekpeme at her residence on Edet-Nsa Street, Base Site, Calabar South. She was found in possession of over 3 kilogrammes of cannabis, also known as skunk, following surveillance based on credible intelligence.
In Lagos, a suspect identified as Chidi Agbafo was intercepted along the Epe–Ajah Expressway last Wednesday while transporting 21.7 kilogrammes of Colorado and 3.8 litres of codeine-based syrup. The illicit drugs were reportedly being conveyed in a commercial bus for delivery in Warri and Oghara, Delta State. Some of the cannabis was ingeniously packaged in sachets typically used for cooking moimoi.
Further investigations at the Apapa seaport led to the recovery of 101 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, hidden in 202 tins labeled as ‘Bean Salad Mix’ inside a container from Canada. The drugs were discovered during a joint inspection by NDLEA operatives, Customs officers, and other security agencies. The container was reportedly concealed in two Toyota Sienna vehicles.
In Ondo State, three brothers—Nanna, Chizom, and Maxwell Ozirinye—were arrested during a raid on a cannabis plantation located in Bending Corner Forest, Idoani, in Ose Local Government Area. NDLEA operatives destroyed a hectare-sized plantation with over 2,500 kilogrammes of cannabis and seized an additional 121.4 kilogrammes of processed skunk.
Babafemi noted that the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign also continued nationwide during the week, with various advocacy activities aimed at reducing demand for narcotics.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s operatives for their diligence and commitment. He also praised state commands across the country for maintaining a balanced approach between supply suppression and demand reduction in the fight against drug abuse.
