NDLEA Intercepts ₦10bn Worth of Illicit Drugs, Arrests International Syndicate Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs valued at over ₦10 billion in a series of coordinated operations targeting international drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.

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‎The operations, conducted in Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna and Edo states, led to the seizure of cocaine, Canadian Loud, millions of opioid pills and large quantities of cannabis. The agency also recovered military-grade ammunition concealed in palm oil containers and arrested several suspects linked to international drug syndicates.

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‎NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the key suspects arrested was 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a clothing dealer at Balogun Market, Lagos. He was allegedly responsible for attempting to export 3.3 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside cartons of food items destined for the United Kingdom.

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‎The cocaine shipment was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

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‎ Investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim before Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the consignment, and Onuigbo, identified as the alleged kingpin, were apprehended.

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‎In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, at her Surulere residence after intercepting a 2.8-kilogram consignment of Canadian Loud imported from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.

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‎At the Lagos airport, officers also intercepted a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight containing 2.24 million tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, estimated to be worth over ₦2.2 billion. The seizure followed intelligence gathering by the agency.

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‎Operatives further intercepted a consignment of tramadol concealed in containers of black soap at a Lagos courier company, where the shipment was being prepared for export to the United Kingdom.

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‎At the Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers uncovered 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5 kilograms hidden inside three vehicles in a shipping container. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of more than ₦7.1 billion.

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‎Outside Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Mustapha Sani, 30, during a patrol in Baure, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition. Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway after 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were discovered concealed inside kegs of red palm oil. Both suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

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‎In Edo State, raid operations at Ilushi Community in Esan South-East Local Government Area resulted in the recovery of 1,286 kilograms of cannabis and 86 kilograms of cannabis seeds from a warehouse. Two additional suspects, Ojore Onweze, 45, and George Agwumede, 30, were also arrested with 60 kilograms and 13 kilograms of skunk, respectively.

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‎The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to dismantle drug trafficking networks and prosecute those involved in the illicit trade.

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