Meth, cocaine, opioids concealed in cylinders, auto parts, brownies, and boarding passes intercepted across multiple states
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a sweeping nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates, dismantling six networks and arresting nine kingpins in a series of intelligence driven operations, Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, confirmed.
The agency’s operations, spanning Lagos, Anambra, Kogi, Niger, Edo, Enugu, Cross River, Kebbi, and the FCT, led to the seizure of tons of methamphetamine, cocaine, Loud, skunk, opioids, tramadol, codeine syrup, and Colorado. Traffickers were found using elaborate concealment methods, including machine cylinders, automobile parts, baked goods, and flight boarding passes.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted machine cylinders from South Africa containing methamphetamine, Loud, cocaine, phenacetin, methcathinone, and caffeine. A sting operation in Onitsha resulted in the arrest of Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu (30) and Christopher Michael Ndibuisi (51). In another airport operation, cocaine hidden in a brake servo auto part destined for Gabon led to the arrest of freight agent Ameh Solomon and auto parts dealer Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface.
Major seizures included 4,700kg of skunk intercepted in Kogi State, with the alleged kingpin Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu later arrested in Jos; 4,706kg of skunk recovered from a warehouse in Cross River from a couple, Onun Okoi Okpotum (55) and Itam Okoi Okpotum (52); and drug-laced brownies and cannabis derivatives from Edo State involving Praise Nwogu (19) and Ebong Emem Oghosa (25). Other significant busts included large quantities of tramadol, opioids, codeine syrup, and cannabis across Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, FCT, and Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the operatives for their diligence and vigilance, noting that the crackdown is aimed at preventing drug cartels from exploiting the festive season. “The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the busy holiday period. We must not and we will not let down our guard,” he warned.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA commands nationwide have continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns in schools, workplaces, religious institutions, and communities. Babafemi confirmed that investigations into the various syndicates are ongoing as the Agency maintains pressure on drug trafficking organisations.
