Published 19th Dec, 2022

By Joseph Adeiye

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has detained Olaleye Adeola, a female freight agent, after it found 1,760,460 opioid pills hidden inside noodle packs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA said that it found more opioids hidden in the same manner in Gombe State in its statement on Sunday.

Most of the drugs came into Nigeria from Pakistan and were on their way to South Africa, FIJ learned.

“At least, one million seven hundred and sixty thousand four hundred and sixty (1,760,460) pills of Tramadol and other opioids have been intercepted, hidden in Indomie Noodle packs and others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, as well as in Gombe State,” the statement read in part.

“While over 600,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg coming from Karachi, Pakistan, in two separate shipments on Ethiopian Airlines, flights were intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th December; 5,960 pills of Rohypnol concealed in 60 packs of Indomie Noodles going to Johannesburg, South Africa, were also seized at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Wednesday, 14th December.

“A female freight agent, Olaleye Adeola, has already been arrested in connection with the noodles consignment.”

Tramadol is an opioid medication for pain. Nigeria’s drug enforcement treats is as contraband. The drug is addictive and dealers move large shipments through countries like Nigeria to meet high demands.

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