NDLEA Smashes Drug Syndicates, Intercepts Cocaine, Meth Shipments Bound for UK, Italy, Turkey, Qatar

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled several drug smuggling attempts involving cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids destined for international locations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.

These significant operations, carried out at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, led to the arrest of key suspects and the seizure of illicit drugs in transit.

On November 5, 2024, NDLEA officers intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg at the MMIA export shed. The drugs were en route to the United Kingdom via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight. Days later, on November 8, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, the businessman linked to the consignment, was apprehended after a well-coordinated manhunt.

In another major breakthrough on November 11, NDLEA operatives foiled an attempt by Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” to smuggle 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy. Solomon concealed the opioids in food and other items but was arrested at the departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight. .

He confessed to having previously lived as a street beggar in Europe before venturing into the logistics business.

Additional seizures included the arrest of Anoke Kingsley Roomy at the Lagos airport on November 15, as he attempted to smuggle 1,100 tramadol pills to Istanbul, Turkey.

The same day, NDLEA operatives raided a hotel in Abuja’s Lugbe area, arresting Omeh Uchenna Jude and Anene Valentine Chigozie with 1.8kg of methamphetamine destined for Qatar.

In Lagos, a separate operation led to the arrest of Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi at his residence in Surulere, where 1.8kg of methamphetamine was recovered after weeks of surveillance.

The agency also intercepted a trans-border smuggling attempt on November 16, when officers stopped a Toyota Hummer bus carrying 50,000 tramadol pills concealed in its body compartments.

The vehicle, belonging to GUO Transport Company, was intercepted at Ijanikin on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway after traveling from Ghana.

Elsewhere, NDLEA’s operations uncovered significant quantities of cannabis across the country.
In Edo state, 997kg of cannabis was recovered during multiple raids, including a seizure of 680kg along a bush path in Oghada, and 136.5kg from a building in Otuo community.

Arrests continued nationwide, with notable cases in Kwara, Imo, and Oyo States involving large quantities of cannabis and codeine.

Meanwhile, the agency sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Outreach efforts spanned states including Adamawa, Rivers, Benue, Sokoto, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos, emphasizing education as a key strategy in combating drug abuse.

Chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved for their dedication and operational excellence.

He highlighted the importance of the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and public education, noting that these efforts have were crucial in the fight for a drug-free Nigeria.