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NDLEA dismantles international drug syndicates with coordinated operations that intercepted cocaine, Canadian Loud and opioids worth over ₦10 billion at Lagos Airport and Apapa Seaport.
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Balogun Market businessman identified as alleged kingpin after investigators traced a failed UK-bound cocaine shipment through cargo agents and logistics handlers.
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Massive seizures include 2.24 million Tapentadol pills valued at over ₦2.2 billion and 2.39 tonnes of Canadian Loud worth more than ₦7.1 billion, alongside additional cocaine and cannabis consignments.
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Nationwide crackdown extends beyond Lagos as operatives recover over 1.2 tonnes of cannabis in Edo, arrest suspects transporting military-grade ammunition in Katsina and Kaduna, and intensify anti-drug awareness campaigns across schools and communities.
July 25 , (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled multiple drug trafficking syndicates in one of its most significant nationwide operations this year, intercepting illicit drugs estimated to be worth more than ₦10 billion at Lagos airport and seaports while arresting alleged kingpins linked to international narcotics networks.
The sweeping operations, conducted across Lagos, Edo, Katsina and Kaduna States, resulted in the seizure of cocaine, Canadian Loud, Tapentadol, tramadol and cannabis, as well as the arrest of several suspects allegedly involved in transnational drug trafficking.
The latest interceptions underscore the agency’s sustained offensive against organised drug cartels using Nigeria’s airports and seaports as transit routes for illicit narcotics destined for Europe and other international markets.
Balogun Market Trader Identified As Alleged Cocaine Kingpin
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives arrested Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a 55-year-old businessman and clothing dealer at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, over an attempt to export 3.30 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom.
The cocaine was ingeniously concealed within the walls of cartons used for packaging foodstuffs before the consignment was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Wednesday, July 22.
Investigators subsequently arrested three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim—who handled the shipment.
Their interrogation led to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the consignment to the cargo handlers.
Further investigations eventually identified Chinedu as the alleged mastermind of the trafficking network. NDLEA said he was apprehended on Thursday, July 23, while allegedly making arrangements to dispatch another cocaine consignment to the United Kingdom.
The agency described the arrest as a major breakthrough in dismantling an organised syndicate involved in trafficking hard drugs through legitimate export channels.
US Cannabis Shipment, Opioids Worth Billions Seized
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, at her residence in Surulere, Lagos, after tracing to her a parcel containing 2.80 kilogrammes of Loud, a highly potent synthetic strain of cannabis.
The illicit consignment had arrived in Nigeria aboard a United Airlines flight from the United States on Monday, July 20, before being intercepted by anti-narcotics officers.
The agency also recorded another significant breakthrough during a joint examination of cargo imported from India aboard an Air Maroc flight.
Based on intelligence reports, operatives recovered 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, a highly abused opioid, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦2.2 billion.
NDLEA said the seizure followed closely on the heels of another operation in which officers intercepted a shipment of tramadol hidden inside containers of black soap at a Lagos courier company.
The tramadol consignment was also destined for the United Kingdom.
₦7.1bn Canadian Loud Hidden Inside Imported Vehicles
At the Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers uncovered one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded this year after discovering 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5 kilogrammes concealed inside three imported vehicles packed in a shipping container.
The shipment, estimated to have a street value of over ₦7.1 billion, was uncovered during a joint examination conducted on Monday, July 20.
The seizure dealt a major blow to organised criminal groups increasingly exploiting maritime cargo to smuggle illicit drugs into Nigeria.
Cannabis Warehouse Raided, Ammunition Recovered
Beyond drug seizures, NDLEA operatives also intercepted suspects transporting military-grade ammunition during separate operations in Katsina and Kaduna States.
At Baure in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, officers arrested Mustapha Sani, 30, with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 123 additional rounds concealed in his possession.
Similarly, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation at Jere along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway after officers discovered 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition hidden inside kegs containing red palm oil.
The agency disclosed that both suspects had been handed over to the appropriate security authorities for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse at Ilushi Community in Esan South-East Local Government Area, recovering 1,286 kilogrammes of cannabis alongside 86 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.
Additional suspects arrested included Ojore Onweze, 45, who was caught with 60 kilogrammes of skunk, and George Agwumede, 30, who was found in possession of 13 kilogrammes of the same substance.
Marwa Commends Officers, Intensifies WADA Campaign
While sustaining enforcement operations, the agency also expanded its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, religious institutions and communities across the country.
During the week, NDLEA officials delivered anti-drug awareness lectures at Government Day Secondary School, Sabon Wuse in Niger State; Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara in Kano State; Otto Primary School, Ebute Metta in Lagos State, among other institutions.
Commending officers and personnel of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) as well as the MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina Commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to sustain the agency’s intelligence-driven offensive against drug trafficking organisations.
Marwa said the agency would continue to pursue a balanced strategy combining aggressive supply reduction through law enforcement with demand reduction initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse, stressing that the fight against narcotics remains critical to national security, public health and the protection of Nigeria’s youth.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
