NDLEA Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers from Europe, Intercepts Military-Grade Ammunition in Kaduna

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered consignments of illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, while also intercepting military-grade ammunition and arresting multiple suspects in separate operations across the country.

According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives discovered and seized three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as Ecstasy, hidden inside water purifier machines shipped from Europe to Lagos.

The drugs were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on May 26 following a thorough examination of the importeditems.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in the Gonin Gora area of the state.

In a separate operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway near Jere, officers intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, who was allegedly transporting 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition to Katsina State. The suspect and the ammunition were subsequently handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and action.

The agency also recorded a major seizure in Niger State, where operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse in GidanKukah, Bosso Local Government Area, recovering 457 kilograms of skunk. A suspect, Godwin Zakka, 46, was later arrested in connection with the seizure.

Similarly, in Enugu State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. The suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.

The agency said its commands and formations nationwide also sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.

Among the institutions reached during theweek were Government Secondary School, Adiabo in Cross River State; St Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari in Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia in Anambra State.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu Commands, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for the arrests and seizures.

He urged personnel across the country to sustain the momentum in reducing drug supply while intensifying public sensitisation efforts against drug abuse.