- NDLEA seizes N22.7 billion worth of Opioids at Seaports
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a Nigerian returnee from Thailand, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for smuggling 13.3 kilograms of heroin valued at N3.2 billion.
The 29-year-old, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, attempted to conceal the heroin in six backpacks packed into two suitcases. He was apprehended during exit checks after rerouting his luggage from Accra, Ghana, to Lagos in an effort to avoid detection.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Oguejiofor had flown from Thailand to Lagos on Qatar Airways, with a stopover in Doha. Upon arrival in Lagos on October 5th, he arranged for his luggage to be sent from Accra to Lagos as “rush bags.” However, during a search, NDLEA officers discovered the heroin parcels sewn into the backpacks. Oguejiofor confessed to being hired for $7,000 to deliver the drugs, with two parcels destined for Lagos and four for Accra.
In a separate operation, NDLEA intercepted large shipments of opioids valued at over N22.7 billion at Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne. The seizures included 32.6 million tramadol pills worth N12.6 billion and 1.45 million bottles of codeine syrup valued at N10.2 billion. These consignments were flagged for examination through joint operations with Nigeria Customs and other agencies between last Monday and Friday.
Additionally, NDLEA officers arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, in Onitsha, Anambra State, with 50,000 tramadol tablets. In Edo State, the agency raided a cannabis transit site, recovering over one ton of cannabis and arresting two suspects.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their successful operations and highlighted the importance of a balanced approach to reducing both drug supply and demand across the country.
