NDLEA intercepts N10bn cocaine, cannabis, opioids at Lagos ports, arrests alleged drug kingpins
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its nationwide anti-narcotics operations, intercepting cocaine, synthetic cannabis and opioid consignments with a combined estimated street value of more than N10 billion at Lagos ports while arresting several suspected drug traffickers, including an alleged kingpin linked to cocaine shipments bound for the United Kingdom.
The agency also recovered 401 rounds of military-grade ammunition concealed in kegs of palm oil during separate operations in Kaduna and Katsina states, while another consignment of tramadol hidden inside containers of black soap destined for the UK was seized.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA operatives arrested a 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who trades in clothing at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, over an attempt to export 3.30 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed within the walls of cartons used for packaging food items destined for the United Kingdom.
The cocaine shipment had earlier been intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 22, prompting an intensive investigation that led to the arrest of three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the consignment.
Investigators subsequently arrested Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the shipment to the cargo agents. His arrest reportedly provided investigators with crucial information that identified Onuigbo as the alleged mastermind behind the trafficking syndicate.
Babafemi said the suspect was eventually arrested on Thursday, July 23, while allegedly attempting to send another cocaine consignment to the UK.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, at her residence in Surulere, Lagos, after intercepting her consignment of 2.80 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
The illicit consignment had arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on July 20 before it was seized by anti-narcotics officers. Chukwu-Edo was arrested the following day as investigations progressed.
The agency also uncovered a massive shipment of opioids at the Lagos airport.
During a joint examination of cargo based on intelligence processed by the NDLEA, officers recovered 2,240,000 pills of Tapentadol 250mg imported from India aboard an Air Maroc flight.
The consignment, intercepted on Friday, July 24, has an estimated street value of more than N2.2 billion. The seizure came shortly after NDLEA officers intercepted another consignment of tramadol concealed inside containers of black soap and intended for export to the United Kingdom through a courier company in Lagos.
At the Apapa Seaport, anti-narcotics operatives also uncovered one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded in recent months after discovering 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5 kilogrammes concealed inside three imported vehicles packed in a container.
The seized cannabis is estimated to have a street value of over N7.1 billion.
Outside Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Mustapha Sani during a patrol operation at Baure in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He was allegedly found in possession of 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition.
In a separate operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Jere, Kaduna State, another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, also 30, was arrested after officers reportedly discovered 78 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside kegs filled with red palm oil.
The agency said both suspects had been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Ilushi community, Esan South-East Local Government Area, where they recovered 1,286 kilogrammes of cannabis alongside 86 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.
The operation also led to the arrest of Ojore Onweze, 45, who was found with 60 kilogrammes of skunk, while George Agwumede, 30, was arrested with an additional 13 kilogrammes of the illicit substance.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across the country through sensitisation programmes held in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.
Among the institutions visited during the week were Government Day Secondary School, Sabon Wuse in Niger State; Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara in Kano State; and Otto Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Commending officers attached to the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive drug supply reduction and preventive public sensitisation.
