NDLEA Makes Major Drug Busts In Lagos, Intercepts Opioids Hidden In Shoes, Hair Extensions, Containers

Lagos, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its ongoing war against drug trafficking, seizing a massive amount of opioids and cannabis concealed in various ingenious ways across the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi detailed a series of successful operations conducted in Lagos, Plateau, FCT Abuja, Edo, and Osun state, highlighting the agency’s dedication to curbing the flow of illicit substances both within and outside of Nigeria.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 2,118 pills of tramadol hidden in the soles of 13 pairs of shoes destined for Cyprus.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the sender, Okenwa Uchenna, in Enugu, where an additional 380 tramadol tablets, N968,880 in cash, and a Toyota Avalon car were recovered.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives working with the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a consignment of 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injection, along with 1.69 kilograms of cannabis and tramadol tablets concealed in hair attachments and shoe soles.

These illicit substances were destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Oman and were seized from three courier companies in Lagos.

In a joint operation with the Customs Service and other security agencies, NDLEA operatives conducted a 100% examination of watch-listed containers at the Tincan port in Lagos and Port Harcourt port, Onne in Rivers State.

These operations led to the seizure of a staggering 26,250,000 tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup, with an estimated street value of N16.7 billion.

The joint inspection also unearthed 10 million tablets of Toradol Benzhexol at Tincan port and 28 plastic drums of methamphetamine weighing 700 kilogrammes at Onne port.

Further, 56 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 28 kilograms, were confiscated from a container that arrived at the Lagos port from Canada.

Tsolaye Eburajolo, a suspect linked to the cannabis seizure, was arrested in Okota, Lagos, along with a bribe of N10 million offered to NDLEA officers.

NDLEA operatives conducted a raid on the Igbo-Igunuko shrine located at Alfa Beach, Ajah in Lagos, seizing 2,760 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and arresting two suspects: Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun.

In a separate incident, Ademola Oyelakin was apprehended along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 770 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance.

In Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, NDLEA officers raided the residence of Muhammad Abdullahi, discovering 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, Rohypnol, and diazepam, along with 64 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in a meticulously concealed underground storage in his bedroom.

Meanwhile, in Plateau state, Fadan Bindom was arrested with 65.85 kilograms of cannabis and 18 grammes of tramadol, while Sunday Agbata was apprehended with 5,830 tablets and ampoules of bromazepam, diazepam, and pentazocine injection.

Umar Muhammed, a major drug distributor in FCT Abuja, was apprehended following the seizure of 198.5 kilograms of cannabis linked to him at Wuse Market Park.

In Edo state, NDLEA operatives recovered 640 kilograms of cannabis concealed in 80 jumbo bags of fresh vegetables at Ewu junction, Irrua, and arrested Austin Oruamen. Adereti Kazeem was apprehended with 200 blocks of cannabis weighing 133 kilograms in Obalayan, Ile-Ife, Osun state.

In his statement, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers involved in these operations, emphasizing the importance of their tireless efforts in both reducing drug supply and addressing drug demand through ongoing sensitisation campaigns targeting schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities.

These recent successes highlight the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking at its source and preventing the harmful effects of drug abuse on communities across Nigeria.

The agency’s comprehensive approach, incorporating both supply reduction and demand reduction strategies, underscores its determination to create a drug-free society.