The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted EFFORTS by suspected drug cartels to bring 126.95kg of cocaine and skunk into Nigeria.

Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the drugs were concealed in herbal tea packs and in vehicles imported from Brazil and Canada.

He said that the consignments were intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and at the Tincan Port in Lagos.

He stated that an Ethiopian Airline passenger, Eze Ikenna (42), returning from Brazil through Addis Ababa, was intercepted at the Enugu airport on January 20.

“A search of his two bags revealed 19 big sachets which he claimed to contain herbal tea, but were later found to be cocaine weighing 16.2kg,’’ Mr Babafemi stated.

He added that NDLEA operatives attached to Tincan Port, Lagos, also intercepted a container marked TCLU 7799237 from Montreal, Canada at Sifax Okota Bonded Terminal.

Mr Babafemi said the container, which was seized on January 18, had 110.75kg of hemp in it.

He said that it was concealed in two of the four vehicles in the container: a 2011 Toyota Sienna and a 2011 Honda Pilot SUV.

Mr Babafemi quoted NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwan, as commending officers involved in the operations and charging them to remain focused on winning the war against drug abuse and trafficking.

(NAN)