Multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of Cerelac infant formula and clothes going to the United States and United Kingdom have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and a courier firm in Lagos.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
“Not even tins of Cerelac baby food are spared in their desperation to conceal and export illicit drugs,” he wrote.
Babafemi warned citizens to be cautious when receiving packages from others while travelling.
He also emphasised the risks of unknowingly transporting illegal substances, reminding the public that possession of such substances carries a 15-year jail sentence.
“The Cerelac tins were all factory-sealed at the top while they tampered with the bottom through which they put the substances 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.
“In the same vein, five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances, such as promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine concealed in cloths and other items meant for export to the US and UK were equally interrupted by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.
“While one of the shipments containing 820grams of promethazine and pentazocine injections was going to the United States, the remaining four parcels consisting of over two kilograms of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly and NPS were heading to the United Kingdom. They were all intercepted on Monday, July 29, at a logistics company in Lagos,” he stated.
