The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disrupted several high-profile attempts by drug syndicates to smuggle substantial quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.
At Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.4kg on November 5, 2024.
The consignment, destined for the UK via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight, led to the arrest of businessman Ekeocha Nelson on November 8.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed additional interceptions, including one involving Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” who attempted to smuggle 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 Rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy on November 11.
The drugs were concealed in food items and seized at the Lagos airport’s departure hall as Solomon prepared to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Babafemi said the suspect claimed to have worked as a street beggar in Europe before venturing into logistics.
Another arrest involved businessman Anoke Roomy on November 15, who attempted to transport 1,100 tramadol pills to Istanbul, Turkey.
The opioids were discovered hidden in his luggage at the Lagos airport.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives raided a hotel at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, on November 15, arresting two suspects, Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34.
The duo was caught with 1.8kg of methamphetamine prepared for export to Qatar.
Meanwhile, in an intelligence-led operation on November 16, officers intercepted Emmanuel Okeke, a trans-border trafficker, attempting to smuggle 50,000 tramadol pills from Ghana into Nigeria.
The pills were concealed within the body compartments of a GUO Transport Company bus, intercepted in Lagos.
Further NDLEA operations in Edo and Kwara states led to arrests and seizures of other illicit drug consignments, underscoring the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Babafemi commended the agency’s operatives and urged continued vigilance in the fight against drug-related crimes.
