NDLEA Burst Shrine Guarded by Snake in Edo, Uncovers Illicit Drugs 

In a significant operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided a shrine in the Igor community, Benin City, Edo State, discovering a stash of illicit drugs.

The shrine, guarded by a large snake, contained a hidden compartment in the wall, cleverly camouflaged with wallpapers and adorned with fetish objects.

The NDLEA team unearthed various quantities of methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado, and Arizona—potent cannabis strains—amounting to 8.743 kilograms from the concealed storage.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of two women, Sonia Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani, during the intelligence-driven operation on June 18, 2024. The team neutralized the snake before making the arrests.

Additionally, the statement detailed another operation on June 22, where NDLEA operatives apprehended Obi Ferguson, 45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, in Usen forest, Ovia South West LGA, Edo State. The raid resulted in the seizure of 209 kilograms of cannabis and a motorcycle.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in the Mazamaza area. The meth, also known as ice or crystal meth, was ingeniously concealed within Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and speaker casings. Michael Odiomume, 39, was arrested on June 19, allegedly attempting to send the package to Owerri, Imo State.

Further extending their operations, NDLEA agents in Abuja intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pickup with counterfeit security registration at Kiyi village, Kuje area, FCT, on June 18. The vehicle, loaded with 454 compressed cannabis blocks weighing 340.8 kilograms, had been sourced from Uzeba, Edo State. A 76-year-old man, Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment, was detained. Omofa admitted to being involved in the drug trade for a decade.