The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a significant drug trafficking operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
This effort thwarted an attempt by an international drug syndicate operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, and Nigeria to smuggle 845 wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 18.72 kilograms, into Nigeria.
Valued at approximately ₦4.5 billion, the cocaine was discovered in two lavatories aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET900 during a post-landing cabin inspection. The illicit drugs were wrapped in nine polythene bags and concealed within the waste compartments of the rear lavatories. Following a tip-off from airline staff, the MMIA Strategic Command of the NDLEA was alerted, leading to the recovery of the contraband and the questioning of over 30 individuals connected to the incident.
Further investigations revealed that the cocaine was transported from Brazil to Ethiopia through body packing by multiple couriers, who excreted the drugs upon reaching Addis Ababa. From there, other syndicate members attempted to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria. This operation was successfully disrupted thanks to the collaborative efforts of Ethiopian Airlines personnel and other airport stakeholders.
In a related operation, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted additional drug trafficking attempts involving cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol. Concealed within body cream containers and art pieces, these drugs were destined for Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom via courier companies in Lagos.
At the Apapa Seaport, NDLEA operatives in conjunction with the Nigerian Customs Service uncovered 754,000 tablets of tapentadol and acetaminophen valued at ₦525 million. Meanwhile, in the Federal Capital Territory, a 24-year-old suspect was apprehended with 147,000 tramadol pills along the Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja expressway, while another suspect was found in possession of 512 grams of methamphetamine at the Giri junction.
Additional arrests occurred across Kogi, Katsina, and other states, leading to the seizure of fake currency, cannabis, methamphetamine, and various controlled substances. In total, the NDLEA’s coordinated efforts resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit drugs nationwide.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers and operatives across various commands for their vigilance, underscoring the importance of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiatives. He lauded the continued educational efforts to raise awareness in schools, workplaces, communities, and traditional centers, reinforcing NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse throughout the nation.
