By Joke Kujenya
A LARGE-scale cocaine smuggling attempt by an international drug syndicate operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, and Nigeria was intercepted at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recovered 845 wraps of cocaine, totaling 18.72 kilograms, with a street value of approximately N4.4 billion.
The drugs were concealed in nine polythene bags, hidden in the rear lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Lagos, and discovered during the plane’s post-landing cleaning on October 29, 2024.
Authorities promptly alerted NDLEA’s MMIA Command, leading to the immediate detention of 30 suspects linked to the incident.
Investigations revealed that the drugs, transported from Brazil to Ethiopia, were ingested by couriers who excreted them in Addis Ababa.
A separate group attempted to smuggle them into Nigeria through MMIA, with the cooperation of airline staff and airport security.
In related operations, NDLEA officers halted attempts to smuggle 2.928 kilograms of cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol concealed in body cream containers and art pieces, bound for Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom via Lagos-based courier companies.
The crackdown extended beyond MMIA. At Lagos’ Apapa seaport, 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen, valued at N525 million, were intercepted in a container from India during a joint examination with Customs.
In Abuja, a 24-year-old suspect, Mujahid Hamisu, was detained on November 2, 2024, with 147,000 tramadol pills hidden among plumbing materials.
Another suspect, Seun Abimbola, was caught with 512 grams of methamphetamine in a raid at Giri Junction.
In Kogi State, NDLEA officers apprehended a female suspect, Mercy Ameh, carrying fake naira notes totaling N4.35 million on October 30, while another suspect was found with 27.4 kilograms of cannabis.
In Katsina, a notorious drug dealer known as “Timaya” was arrested with a consignment of “Arizona” cannabis, and in Adamawa, authorities detained a suspect with 50.3 grams of methamphetamine at a Jimeta hotel.
Taraba and Edo states saw similar anti-drug actions. In Taraba, 46-year-old Danlami Fakwa was arrested with nearly 50 kilograms of cannabis. NDLEA also confiscated over half a ton of cannabis from a vehicle in Ondo State.
In Kaduna, 25-year-old Kabiru Yusuf was detained with 51,813 tramadol pills, while in Edo, NDLEA seized 603.6 kilograms of cannabis.
Alongside these seizures, NDLEA has actively promoted the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting sensitization lectures at schools, workplaces, and community centers nationwide.
Recent lectures reached students and staff at Government Day Secondary School in Adamawa, Regina Catholic International College in Abia, and Akinmorin Grammar School in Oyo.
Through these advocacy efforts, NDLEA aims to educate communities on the dangers of drug abuse, reinforcing its commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the efforts of the MMIA, Apapa, FCT, and other regional commands, lauding their dedication to both enforcement and community outreach.
He said the agency continues its vigilant operations across Nigeria, driven to intercept illicit drugs and dismantle trafficking networks while fostering a drug-free society.
