Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a dramatic raid on a snake-guarded shrine used as a store for illicit drugs in the Igor community of Benin, the Edo State capital.
The operation, which took place on June 18, uncovered a large stash of illegal substances.
Upon arrival at the shrine, NDLEA agents were confronted by a large black snake guarding the entrance.
After neutralizing the snake, the operatives gained access to the shrine, discovering a “specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects,” the agency reported.
The raid resulted in the seizure of 8.743 kilograms of various illicit substances, including methamphetamine and strong strains of cannabis known as Loud, Colorado, and Arizona.
Two women, Sonia Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani, were arrested at the scene.
The same day, in Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pickup truck at Kiyi village in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The vehicle, which bore fake registration numbers and amber lights typical of a security agency vehicle, was found to contain 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8 kilograms.
A 76-year-old man, Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment, was arrested. Omofa admitted to being involved in the illicit drug trade for a decade.
The following day in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a package containing 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in the Mazamaza area of Ojo.
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The substance, also known as ice or crystal meth, was hidden inside imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and concealed in the casing of three loudspeakers.
A suspect, Michael Odiomume, 39, who was attempting to send the consignment to Owerri, Imo State, was arrested at the park.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued its outreach efforts, focusing on sensitizing various communities about the dangers of drug abuse.
Last week, the campaign reached out to students and teachers at St. Peters College in Nibo, Anambra State; Apostolic Grammar School in Ilesa, Osun State; Immanuel Baptist High School in Oyo Town, Oyo State; and Federal Government Science and Technical College in Otukpa, Benue State.
Additionally, WADA conducted an advocacy lecture for Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer in Umuahia, Abia State.
Micheal has over 5 years experience in digital journalism. He’s a New Media Expert with an interest in Human Development and Global Politics.
