NDLEA Foils Major Drug Smuggling Attempt Using Baby Food Tins, Clothes Bound for US, UK

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs cleverly concealed in tins of Cerelac baby food and clothes.

These shipments were en route to the United States and the United Kingdom.

The operation took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos.

According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, vigilant officers discovered 36 parcels of a potent strain of cannabis hidden within six cartons of branded Nestle Cerelac baby food tins.

Each carton contained six containers, with the total weight of the psychotropic substance amounting to 18.50 kilograms.

The seizure occurred at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) export shed on Wednesday, July 31.

"The Cerelac tins were all factory-sealed at the top while they tampered with the bottom through which they put the substances.

They were covered with loose quantities of the infant cereal meal to prevent discovery, an effort that ended in futility as vigilant NDLEA officers were able to foil the attempt," Mr. Babafemi explained.

Following the interception, a freight agent named Suliat Salaudeen, who presented the consignment for export to the UK, was promptly arrested.

A subsequent operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, August 3, led to the arrest of the sender, Motunrayo Bello, at her residence in No. 20 Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of the Oyo state capital.

In addition to the cannabis, NDLEA operatives also seized five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances intended for export to the U.S. and UK.

These included promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine, which were concealed in clothes and other items.

One shipment containing 820 grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was destined for the United States, while the remaining four parcels, consisting of over two kilograms of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly, and NPS, were heading to the United Kingdom.

These were intercepted on Monday at a logistics company in Lagos.