NDLEA Seizes N12.3bn Cannabis Haul, Arrests Businesswoman with Cocaine Bound for China
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a series of major anti-narcotics operations across the country, leading to the arrest of several suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of illicit drugs valued at over N12.3 billion.
Among those arrested is a 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, who was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while allegedly attempting to smuggle 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to Beijing, China.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect, who claimed she regularly travelled to China to purchase goods for resale in Nigeria, was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on 21 June following credible intelligence.
A search of her checked luggage reportedly uncovered four parcels of cocaine concealed in a professionally constructed false compartment at the base of her suitcase.
In another significant operation, NDLEA operatives uncovered a massive consignment of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed inside a 40-foot container at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The seizure, carried out during a joint examination involving officers of the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, yielded 4,959 kilogrammes of the illicit substance with an estimated street value of N12.397 billion.
The agency disclosed that the shipment had been under surveillance for more than four weeks after it departed Toronto, Canada.
According to investigators, the container travelled by truck and rail through Montreal before transiting Morocco and eventually arriving at Tin Can Port in Lagos earlier this month. It was later transferred to Apapa Port, where the drugs were finally recovered.
Meanwhile, a joint operation involving NDLEA operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Anambra State exposed a criminal syndicate accused of secretly planting illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers travelling on commercial buses.
The operation began when officers intercepted a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi to Abuja at Abaji in the FCT on 20 June.
During a search, they discovered a package suspected to contain methamphetamine hidden inside a black nylon bag placed within a sack of clothing bearing the intended recipient’s telephone number.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the supposed recipient, Mrs Gloria Peter, at Utako Motor Park. She denied any knowledge of the package, prompting investigators to trace the consignment back to the loading point in Nnewi.
Subsequent arrests of bus loaders and the driver, identified as Abdurrazak Isah, eventually led operatives to another passenger, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, who was identified as the alleged owner of the 467.7-gramme methamphetamine consignment.
In Lagos, operatives of a Special Operations Unit also arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at the Iddo Motor Park while attempting to transport 209.5 kilogrammes of Scottish Loud, another potent strain of cannabis, to Enugu State.
The agency also intercepted a truck transporting illicit drugs from Togo through the Benin Republic into Nigeria. Three suspects – Beninese nationals Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19, alongside Nigerian national Jackson ThankGod – were arrested on the Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos.
A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed inside a specially fabricated compartment within the truck.
In a separate operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, NDLEA officers arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo while transporting 118 kilogrammes of skunk concealed among legitimate goods in a truck travelling from Lagos Island to Onitsha, Anambra State.
Another raid at 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, Lagos, led to the arrest of Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53. Officers recovered 28.8 kilogrammes of skunk during the operation.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Helen allegedly stored narcotics at Rashidat’s residence before distributing them to customers.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through awareness programmes in schools and communities across several states, including Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Enugu, as part of efforts to discourage drug abuse among young people.
Commending officers of the MMIA, Special Operations Units, Apapa, FCT, Anambra and Lagos Commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised their commitment to reducing the supply of illicit drugs while sustaining nationwide drug abuse prevention campaigns.
He urged personnel across the country to remain resolute in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
