NDLEA seizes hard drugs worth billions of in a significant bust in Lagos Some previously ingested drugs were found in airplane toilets. Investigations revealed that couriers ingested them before excreting in Ethiopia.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) successfully thwarted an attempt by an international drug syndicate to smuggle cocaine into Lagos. They seized 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72 kilograms at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on October 29, 2024. The drugs have a street value of N4.4 billion.
Suspects hid the cocaine in two lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines flight arriving from Addis Ababa. Authorities discovered the drugs during post-landing cleaning after an alert to the NDLEA officials about suspicious items. Spokesman for NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, says officers have interrogated a total of 30 suspects in connection with this significant bust.
Details of the NDLEA seizes drugs
The cocaine was transported from Brazil to Ethiopia. Investigations revealed that couriers ingested some drugs before excreting them in Ethiopia. Other traffickers then attempted to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria. Their efforts were thwarted thanks to cooperation from airline authorities and airport stakeholders.
In addition, NDLEA officers intercepted attempts to export 2.928 kg of cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol concealed in body cream containers and artwork. This seizure occurred on October 28, targeting courier companies in Lagos.
At the Apapa seaport, NDLEA seized 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen from a container arriving from India, valued at N525 million. This operation involved collaboration with Customs and other security agencies.
Nationwide drug busts and arrests
In the Federal Capital Territory, officials arrested a suspect with 147,000 tramadol pills concealed in plumbing materials. They also caught another suspect with 512 grams of methamphetamine.
Across various states, NDLEA officers made several arrests. In Kogi, officers found fake Naira notes worth over N4 million with a suspect. In Katsina, NDLEA arrested a notorious drug dealer with cannabis. Operatives also seized cannabis seizures in Ondo and Taraba states, in similar operations.
These ongoing operations illustrate the breadth of NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking across Nigeria.
The NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) with sensitization lectures and advocacy across schools and communities. These efforts include visits to various institutions, emphasizing the dangers of drug abuse.
Observers have noted the effectiveness of the NDLEA’s recent operations. The agency’s proactive measures and strong collaboration with other agencies enhance its ability to disrupt drug trafficking networks. The substantial drug seizures signal a significant step in the fight against narcotics.
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