A consignment of more than 64,863.5 kilograms of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, has been intercepted by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The seizure took place at the Apapa seaport in Lagos and in Imo State, where the substance was being abused by individuals for recreational purposes.
This development occurred shortly after the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), issued a directive to all commands and formations of the agency to take immediate action against the illegal sale and use of this gaseous substance.
According to Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, a statement released on Friday revealed that based on reliable intelligence, the agency’s operatives at the Apapa seaport intercepted two containers, namely MSKU 7626856 and MSKU 7689448. These containers were suspected to contain cartons of nitrous oxide and plastic pressure release nozzles imported from China.
Babafemi further explained that a joint examination of the containers was conducted by officers from the NDLEA, Customs Service, and other relevant stakeholders on Thursday, July 13th, following the intelligence. The search led to the discovery of 522 cartons of nitrous oxide, totaling 16,366 packages and weighing 64,852 kilograms. Additionally, paraphernalia associated with recreational use were also recovered during the operation.
The statement reads, “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 13th July 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 commending the officers and men of the Apapa Port, and their Imo state Command counterparts for being pro-active and swift, Marwa said the clampdown on illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide will continue nationwide to protect young Nigerians from the devastating effects of abusing the substance and in the overall interest of public health. He commended the cooperation of other sister security agencies and stakeholders towards achieving the set objective.”
