Qasim Ademola, an Ibadan-based drug producer, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the illicit distribution of Akuskura, a deadly psychoactive substance.

According to a statement by the agency, Ademola was arrested on Thursday in Kano while attempting to distribute 26,600 bottles of the new psychoactive substance.

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The 39-year-old was apprehended alongside three of his distributors who were on a mission to distribute the substance across Northern states.

“A notable producer of new psychoactive substance, popularly called Akuskura, Qasim Ademola has been arrested by anti-narcotic officers who intercepted 26, 600 bottles of the illicit substance meant for distribution across Northern states,” the NDLEA said.

“The consignment was seized on Thursday, 15th Sept., along Zaria-Kano road, Gadar Tamburawa, Kano while the 39-year-old proprietor from Akinyele LGA, Oyo State, and three of his distributors were arrested in follow up operations.”

The NDLEA also arrested one Onyeka Madukolu, an ex-convict, on Friday for importing 5.90 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cans of deodorants and lip gloss into the country.

Madukolu had served a seven-year jail term in Ethiopia for drug peddling.

“Onyeka, who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in Ethiopia for drug trafficking offences and released from prison in 2020, was again arrested on Friday 16th September 2022 at the Lagos airport on his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight,” the NDLEA said.

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“A search of his luggage revealed he had concealed 5.90kg cocaine inside cans of deodorants and female lip gloss. During preliminary interview, he claimed to have gone into the drug business to raise fresh capital to start a legitimate business after his release from Ethiopian prison in 2020.

“The father of two kids, one each from a Nigerian woman and a Brazilian lady, said he was into motor spare parts business before going into the criminal trade. The 44-year-old indigene of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State said he was expecting to be paid N2 million on successful delivery of the illicit drug in Nigeria.”