NDLEA Foils Cocaine, Meth Shipments to UK, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar in Lagos, Abuja

The NDLEA successfully intercepted illicit drug shipments, including cocaine and methamphetamine, destined for the UK, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar. The operations in Lagos and Abuja highlight Nigeria’s intensified war against drug trafficking.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted several efforts by drug syndicates to smuggle substantial quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids. These illegal consignments were intended for export through Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.

On Sunday, the NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced that intelligence-driven operations resulted in seizing illicit substances and arresting individuals allegedly involved.

On November 5, at Lagos airport, NDLEA agents intercepted a shipment of 13 cocaine parcels weighing 4.40kg intended to be sent to the United Kingdom on a Lufthansa Airlines flight. Businessman Ekeocha Nelson was arrested as a suspect connected to this consignment on November 8.

“A bid to export controlled substances, involving businessman Adegbite Solomon (known as Obama), was thwarted on November 11 at Lagos airport’s departure hall. NDLEA operatives arrested him after finding 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine hidden in food and other items just as he prepared to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy. He stated that his previous travel experiences included crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe where he survived by begging before moving into logistics,” according to the statement.

In a separate operation at Terminal 1 of Lagos airport on November 15, NDLEA officers apprehended businessman Anoke Roomy, who was allegedly attempting to board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey with 1,100 tramadol pills hidden in his luggage.

In Abuja on November 15, NDLEA officers conducted a raid in a hotel room located at the Federal Housing Authority Estate in Lugbe. During this operation, they arrested two suspects—Omeh Jude and Anene Chigozie—and seized 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine that was allegedly destined for Qatar.

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During this time, officers from the Special Operations Unit in Lagos apprehended Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi at his home on Durojaiye Street, Surulere. Following several weeks of surveillance, they seized 1.8kg of methamphetamine.

In a different operation, officers from an NDLEA task force thwarted the efforts of suspected trans-border trafficker Emmanuel Okeke on Saturday, November 16th. He allegedly attempted to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) from Ghana into Lagos.

The pills were hidden in the interior compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus owned by GUO Transport Company, which was driven by the suspect. The vehicle was stopped at Ijanikin on the Lagos-Badagry expressway while traveling from Ghana.

In Edo State, at least 997 kg of cannabis was recovered during raids across various parts. A total of 680 kg along with a Sienna bus bearing the registration number FST-320 AE were seized on a bush path leading to Oghada forest in Orhionmwan LGA. Additionally, authorities confiscated 180.5 kg from Cecilia Ibe, aged 31, at Ofosu forest in Ovia South West LGA and evacuated another 136.5 kg from a building located within the Otuo community in Owan East LGA on Thursday, November 14th.

On Wednesday, November 13th, NDLEA operatives patrolling the Lagos-Ibadan expressway apprehended a suspect named Ifejimagha Chinonso with 88.3 kg of cannabis. Additionally, on Friday, November 15th, personnel from the Kano Command of the Agency arrested Ahmed Goni, age 30 at Gadar Tamburawa along the Kano-Zaria road and recovered 65,730 tramadol capsules from him.

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives apprehended Adio Sulaiman with 120.8 kg of cannabis and several liters of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA. Meanwhile, Kelechi Obichere, aged 42, was caught with 75 kg of cannabis at Eziobodo in Owerri West LGA, Imo State on Thursday, November 14th. Additionally, a total of 563.74 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were seized from Anthony Anakabi who is a suspect aged sixty years old following his arrest in Iyalode within the Iyana Church area located in Ibadan which happens to be the capital city for Oyo state,” mentioned their statement.”