By Paul Joseph
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 63-year-old Chinese woman, Ting Hung Kiong, over an alleged attempt to smuggle a large quantity of synthetic cannabis into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to the agency, the suspect, who reportedly acquired Malaysian citizenship, was apprehended after arriving in Nigeria from Thailand via Dubai aboard an Emirates Airlines flight.
NDLEA operatives said the woman was intercepted during routine checks at the airport, where two large suitcases in her possession were discovered to contain 31 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis.
Preliminary investigations by the anti-drug agency revealed that the suspect allegedly travelled from Malaysia to Thailand before receiving the illicit drug consignment at a Thai airport for delivery in Nigeria.
During interrogation, Ting Hung Kiong reportedly informed investigators that the trip was sponsored by her daughter, who allegedly facilitated parts of the travel arrangements before the drugs were handed over to her.
The agency described the seizure as part of intensified efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking networks using Nigeria as a transit and destination point.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at the cargo section of the Lagos airport intercepted more than 1.8 million tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, an opioid drug valued at over ₦2.1 billion.
The consignment, which reportedly arrived from India, was recovered after weeks of intelligence gathering and close monitoring by anti-narcotics officers.
The agency also recorded several other arrests in coordinated operations across different parts of the country.
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, a suspect identified as Onyeka Valentine Emeka was arrested after allegedly excreting 185.36 grams of cocaine following his arrival from Sierra Leone through Ethiopia.
Similarly, another suspect, Babatunde Prosper Afekhide, was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Italy with thousands of opioid pills concealed inside his luggage.
NDLEA further disclosed that operatives intercepted parcels containing illegal drugs concealed in packages destined for the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.
In addition to airport operations, the agency carried out raids in several states, leading to the recovery of large quantities of skunk and other illicit substances in Edo, Ekiti and Kano states, as well as border communities in Lagos State.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and operatives involved in the various operations for their vigilance and professionalism.
He urged personnel of the agency to sustain the momentum in the ongoing nationwide campaign against drug trafficking, abuse and organised narcotics networks operating within and outside Nigeria.
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