Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted two consignments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado, weighing a combined 44.45 kilogrammes and linked to shipments from the United Kingdom.

The agency also recovered additional consignments of the illicit substance concealed in music speakers at two motor parks in Lagos, with at least seven suspects arrested in connection with the seizures. 

The NDLEA said its operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted a consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.

A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested on September 9 after he allegedly arrived to collect the luggage using a secret collection code reportedly provided by his brother based in the UK.

In a related operation involving another consignment from the UK, NDLEA operatives intercepted 12.25kg of Colorado and arrested 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who allegedly said the package had been sent to him by his brother in the UK.

Meanwhile, operatives of the agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a music speaker containing three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza-Maza, Lagos.

The consignment was reportedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and subsequently Liberia.

A 41-year-old tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, and the alleged owner of the consignment, 46-year-old Obasi Ugochukwu, were arrested following a sting operation at a nearby eatery.

In another operation at Iddo Park, Lagos, the agency arrested Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry on September 11 while he was allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.

The NDLEA said investigations into the various seizures and arrests were ongoing.