NDLEA Busts Multi-Billion Naira Drug Smuggling Ring, Seizes N4.4bn In Opioids

Lagos, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a major victory in its fight against drug trafficking today, revealing the interception of over N3.3 billion worth of methamphetamine and Loud cannabis, concealed in auto parts shipments from Canada. Three businessmen have been arrested in connection with the Lagos seizures.

In a separate operation in Rivers State, the agency seized N4.4 billion worth of codeine-based syrup.

The Lagos operation, described as unprecedented in scale, involved the meticulous tracking of two consignments across three continents—from Canada to Belgium and finally to Nigeria.

The first seizure, made on December 12th at the Tincan seaport, uncovered 5.001kg of methamphetamine hidden within a Toyota Camry in a container destined for Lagos’ Ladipo auto parts market. Isaac Onwumere, a businessman linked to the shipment, was arrested.

A second, larger seizure the following day yielded 867.5kg of Loud – a potent synthetic cannabis – and an additional 78.3kg of methamphetamine.

Two more businessmen, Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, were apprehended in connection with this shipment.

The combined street value of the methamphetamine and Loud seized in Lagos totals over N2.3 billion.

NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, detailed the agency’s months-long intelligence operation, tracing the shipments from their origins in Toronto, Canada, through their trans-shipment in Antwerp, Belgium, to their final destination in Lagos.

Adding to the significant haul, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, in Rivers State, intercepted 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth a staggering N4.456 billion.

This seizure, carried out between December 9th and 13th, involved four containers shipped from India.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the agency’s operational success.

He emphasised the NDLEA’s capacity to track drug shipments and smugglers, sending a strong message to drug cartels that their activities will not go unpunished.

He warned that continued involvement in the illicit drug trade will result in substantial losses for the perpetrators.

The agency also reported ongoing nationwide awareness campaigns targeting schools, churches, and communities as part of its “War Against Drug Abuse” initiative.