The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday said its operatives in Anambra State recovered 58.5 grammes of cocaine and 13.9 grammes of heroin concealed in the palace of a prominent traditional ruler in the state.

The state NDLEA Commander, Muhammadu Idris, in a statement, noted that palace guards were assisting the agency in tracking the dealer.

He said, “Investigations are ongoing to unravel how the illicit drugs were hidden in the palace and the palace security guards are helping in tracing the dealer behind the consignment.”

Also, the agency said a notorious drug trafficker, Hassan Taiwo, was arrested by operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos State, with three parcels of cocaine concealed in a false bottom created in his suitcase.

According to the statement, Taiwo was intercepted at the E-Arrival Hall upon arrival aboard an Ethiopian airline at 1.30pm last Friday.

The NDLEA Commander, MMIA Command, Ahmadu Garba, said, “The suspect came into Nigeria through Addis Ababa, but he actually travelled to Addis Ababa from Abuja. Upon a thorough search, we discovered another ticket on him, while our findings show that he has been plying his criminal trade through some Middle East countries.”

Narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos were also reported to have intercepted 500 grammes of unaccompanied cocaine going to the United Arab Emirates and concealed packed cartons of clothes.

The operatives also intercepted in another courier firm one kilogramme of cannabis concealed in cream bottles going to UAE, while 500 grammes of ketamine hidden in artefacts and going to the US were recovered from the same company in Lagos.

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), commended the commanders, men and officers involved in the operations for their vigilance and urged them to continue the fight against hard drugs in the country.