EFFORTS TO smuggle large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar have been intercepted in a series of well-coordinated operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The agency successfully thwarted multiple attempts at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, recovering illicit substances and arresting key suspects.
Among the major busts, operatives at the Lagos airport intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.4kg on November 5, destined for the United Kingdom via Lufthansa Airlines.
The arrest of Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, the businessman linked to the consignment, followed on November 8, signaling the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling trafficking networks.
Nelson was arrested on November 5 as he was destined for the United Kingdom via Frankfurt.
Linked to the consignment, was arrested three days later.
Similarly, Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” was apprehended on November 11 at the Lagos airport while attempting to smuggle 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy.
Another arrest involved Anoke Kingsley Roomy, who concealed 1,100 tramadol pills in his luggage while boarding a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15.
Furthermore, in Abuja, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a hotel at the Federal Housing Authority estate in Lugbe on November 15.
They arrested Omeh Uchenna Jude and Anene Valentine Chigozie with 1.8kg of methamphetamine bound for Qatar.
In Lagos, Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi was caught with a similar quantity of methamphetamine after surveillance at his home in Surulere.
Moreover, on November 16, NDLEA operatives intercepted 50,000 tramadol pills concealed in a bus traveling from Ghana into Lagos.
The trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, was apprehended along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
In Edo State, the agency recovered 997kg of cannabis during raids. Seizures included 680kg in a bush near Oghada forest and 180.5kg in Ofosu forest.
Another 136.5kg was evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East.
Elsewhere, operatives arrested Ifejimagha Chinonso with 88.3kg of cannabis on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Also in Kano, Ahmed Goni was caught with 65,730 tramadol capsules on November 15.
In Kwara, Adio Sulaiman was apprehended with 120.8kg of cannabis and codeine, while in Imo, Kelechi Obichere was found with 75kg of cannabis.
Oyo State saw the seizure of 563.74kg of cannabis from Anthony Anakabi in Ibadan.
NDLEA said it has also extended its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative through sensitization campaigns in schools, workplaces, and communities.
These programmes reached Government Day Secondary School in Adamawa, NKST Secondary School in Benue, Army Cantonment Senior Boys High School in Lagos, and more.
In his usual way, the Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the operatives for their successes, commending their balanced approach to tackling drug supply and demand.
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