Over 64, 863.5 kilogram consignments of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, have been confiscated by NDLEA agents in Imo State and at the Apapa harbour in Lagos.
This comes only a day after Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the anti-narcotic agency, ordered a swift crackdown on the illegal sale and use of the gaseous substance in response to abuse of the substance by individuals for pleasure.
The Agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, released a statement on Friday.
“Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Apapa seaport, on Wednesday, intercepted two containers marked MSKU 7626856 and MSKU 7689448 suspected to contain cartons of Nitrous oxide and plastic pressure release nozzles imported from China.
“As a result, an NDLEA statement said on Friday, that a joint examination of the containers was carried out by officers of the Agency, men of the Customs Service and other stakeholders on Thursday.
“During the search of the two containers, the statement said a total of 522 cartons of Nitrous Oxide, containing 16,366 packages weighing 64,852kgs, were recovered along with the paraphernalia for recreational use.
“The importer of the consignment, 30-year-old Stephen Eze and his agent, Michael Chukwuma, were thereafter, arrested and detained for further investigation.
“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri – Onitsha expressway in Imo State, on Thursday, intercepted three cartons containing 18 canisters of the same substance weighing 11.5kg heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“A swift follow-up operation was conducted in the stadium road area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, same day, leading to the arrest of the owner of the shipment, 24-year-old Tonye Kalio.”
While praising the proactive and prompt actions of the officers and personnel of the Apapa Port and their Imo State Command counterparts, Marwa stated that the nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide will continue in order to safeguard young Nigerians from the deadly consequences of substance abuse and for the benefit of the country's general public health.
He congratulated everyone who helped achieve the goal, including stakeholders and other sister security services.