The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted an international drug smuggling operation and seized 845 wraps of cocaine valued at N4.4 billion at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), part of a nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking. The drug syndicate, allegedly operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, attempted to smuggle 18.72 kilograms of cocaine into Lagos, concealing the contraband in the lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
The illicit drugs, packed in nine polythene bags, were found during a routine post-landing cabin cleaning of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET900 from Addis Ababa to Lagos on October 29, 2024. The NDLEA was alerted to the discovery by airline staff, and 30 suspects have been questioned in connection with the seizure.
In a coordinated effort, NDLEA officials thwarted other international drug smuggling attempts, intercepting 2.928 kilograms of cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol hidden in body cream containers and artworks bound for the United Kingdom, UAE, and Australia. These packages, intercepted on October 28, were set to leave the country via Lagos courier services.
The NDLEA’s efforts extended to Lagos’ Apapa seaport, where operatives, alongside Customs and other security agencies, seized a shipment of 754,000 tapentadol and acetaminophen pills worth N525 million from India.
Meanwhile, nationwide arrests and seizures continued. In Abuja, NDLEA apprehended two suspects on November 2: Mujahid Hamisu, 24, with 147,000 tramadol pills concealed in plumbing materials, and Seun Abimbola, 47, found with 512 grams of methamphetamine.
In Kogi, operatives on October 30 intercepted Mercy Ameh, 28, with fake currency totaling N4.35 million. The same day, Shaibu Dahiru, 27, was arrested with 27.4 kilograms of cannabis on his way to Katsina.
Other arrests took place across the country, including the capture of notorious drug dealer Usman Abba, alias Timaya, in Katsina. NDLEA also seized over half a ton of cannabis from various locations in Ondo and Edo states and detained suspects in Kaduna and Taraba with large quantities of tramadol and cannabis.
Across Nigeria, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative continues to educate communities. Last week, NDLEA’s advocacy reached schools, workplaces, and communities in Adamawa, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Ebonyi, educating youth and raising awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers nationwide for their diligent work in combating drug trafficking and expanding drug abuse prevention efforts through WADA.
