The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman for allegedly smuggling 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed around her pelvic region, as part of a nationwide crackdown that uncovered major drug trafficking networks and illicit consignments worth billions of naira.
The suspect, identified as Farida Nansubuga, was arrested last Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda with 87 wraps of cocaine strapped beneath two layers of underwear.
The arrest was among several operations that led to the interception of 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol valued at about N900 million, the dismantling of a synthetic cannabis production network and the recovery of large quantities of illicit drugs across several states.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church for a religious programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
Babafemi said the other members of her delegation returned to Uganda after the programme, while the suspect allegedly stayed behind to collect a drug consignment arranged by an associate, identified as Joy, based in Uganda.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that Joy connected her with a Nigerian contact who arranged transportation to a hotel on the morning of her departure.
At the hotel, a man allegedly handed her the cocaine and instructed her to conceal it beneath her clothing to evade airport security. She reportedly expected to receive at least $1,000 for successfully delivering the drugs in Uganda.
The NDLEA said the arrest followed a joint passenger-screening operation involving its operatives and aviation security personnel at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport. A preliminary body search raised suspicion, leading to her transfer to a private search room, where the cocaine was recovered.
In another major operation at the airport, operatives intercepted 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 526 kilogrammes and valued at N900 million.
The shipment, imported from India aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Ahmedabad, was declared as Paracetamol 500mg and concealed in 11 cartons within two wooden structures.
The agency placed the consignment under surveillance before conducting a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on November 6.
The examination revealed that 10 cartons contained the opioid tablets, while the remaining carton held paracetamol tablets allegedly used to conceal the shipment.
The agency also intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 16.15 kilogrammes, concealed inside two wooden sofas in consolidated cargo from Houston, Texas, United States.
A freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, who presented himself to clear the consignment, was arrested. A follow-up operation on November 6 led to the arrest of Ibadan-based caterer, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who allegedly came to collect the package.
Ojo reportedly told investigators that he was acting on the instructions of a friend, Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun.
The NDLEA also uncovered an alleged international syndicate importing chemicals used in the production of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, from the United Kingdom.
The investigation followed the interception on October 23 of nine parcels concealed in cartons of snacks labelled “Michael Tea Guy” in cargo arriving aboard an Air Peace flight from the UK.
Two parcels contained 1.2 kilogrammes of cannabis, while forensic analysis showed that the remaining seven contained chemicals suspected to be used in synthetic cannabis production.
A 51-year-old freight agent, Afolabi Wale, was arrested while attempting to clear the consignment.
Further investigations led to the interception of two additional cartons shipped to the same recipient aboard an Allied Air flight. A sting operation between October 26 and 28 resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Okwuite Benjamin Ojone.
The additional cartons contained three parcels weighing 3.30 kilogrammes concealed in detergent packs and 11 plastic bottles containing mainly liquid substances weighing 16.25 kilogrammes.
The agency said the operation yielded a total of 1.2 kilogrammes of cannabis and 28.65 kilogrammes of chemicals suspected to be intended for synthetic cannabis production.
Other interceptions included 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2 kilogrammes destined for the United Kingdom and 296 tablets of Swinol bound for Australia.
The agency also intercepted several tramadol consignments destined for the UK, including capsules concealed in vitamin C containers and 600 tablets of Tramadol 225mg hidden inside female headwear.
In Lagos, a 32-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ali, was arrested at Marine Beach, Apapa, after operatives discovered a drug storage facility inside his apartment.
Recovered substances included tramadol, pregabalin, diazepam, codeine and 6.07 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures and arrests.
In Ondo State, operatives recovered 1,818 kilogrammes of cannabis from 148 bags at Odofin Road, Uso, and destroyed a one-hectare cannabis plantation at Board Forest, where 242 kilogrammes of the substance were recovered. A 36-year-old suspect, Itoro Linus Akpan, was arrested.
In Ekiti State, a 53-year-old man, Agbo Paul Peter, was arrested at Osin Forest, Osin-Ekiti, with 216 kilogrammes of cannabis and cannabis seeds.
Edo State operatives intercepted a Golf saloon car carrying 19 bags of cannabis weighing 201 kilogrammes along Auchi-Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. The driver, Abdulmumid Isah, 39, and passenger, Danako Godwin, 25, were arrested.
Three other suspects were apprehended during a raid on a drug joint along Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, where Colorado, Loud and cannabis were recovered.
In Taraba State, three suspects were arrested at the agency’s checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area, with 283 blocks of cannabis weighing 226.255 kilogrammes.
In Enugu State, officers arrested Celestine Ejiakor, 57, with 44 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.5 kilogrammes, while another suspect, Godwin Shaapera, 40, was arrested with 24,000 capsules of tramadol and 697 grammes of ketamine.
Delta State operatives arrested Edugua Othuke, 30, in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, recovering skunk, cannabis seeds and methamphetamine. Another suspect, Akpofure Tobore, 34, was arrested at Upper Agbarho, Ughelli, with skunk, tramadol, Rohypnol and laughing gas.
The agency said its commands also continued public enlightenment campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.
Reacting to the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel in Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Taraba and Enugu states for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa described the arrest of the Ugandan woman as a disturbing example of how drug cartels exploit religious gatherings and international travel to recruit unsuspecting or financially vulnerable individuals as couriers.
He urged officers nationwide to sustain pressure on trafficking networks through intensified supply-reduction operations and public awareness campaigns.
