Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted significant consignments of illicit drugs cleverly concealed in everyday items.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, “loud” cannabis hidden inside microwaves imported from Thailand and cocaine embedded in ladies’ lipsticks destined for Guinea were seized.
“At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 23 parcels of “loud” cannabis weighing 11.3kg, concealed in brand-new microwaves that arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok via Addis Ababa.
“Ezenwegbu Chike, a suspect, was arrested in connection with the seizure on July 7.
“This operation follows a prior seizure involving 420 grams of cocaine ingeniously hidden in 84 female lipsticks bound for the United Kingdom.
“On July 11, NDLEA operatives intercepted yet another consignment of cocaine concealed in lipsticks, this time found among cargo containing hair attachments and cosmetics heading to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
“Approximately 400 grams of cocaine mixed with phenacetin, a known cutting agent, were recovered.
“Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman, was arrested in Lagos in connection with the case.
In another major breakthrough, the NDLEA said its Special Operations Unit apprehended Okechukwu Izugha, a notorious drug kingpin also known as Okey Omeogo, in Lagos on July 9, after spending 12 months in hiding.
Izugha had been linked to a 9 kg cocaine seizure in August 2024, and his wife had previously been convicted for drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed over 28 tonnes of skunk cannabis on three farms covering 11 hectares in the Ewere Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA, on July 8.
The operation faced armed resistance from cartel members, but officers successfully repelled the attack unharmed, despite one vehicle being riddled with bullets.
Additionally, 82 kg of processed cannabis was seized at the location.
In Lagos, NDLEA seized 700 kg of compressed Ghana loud cannabis and a delivery truck at Okun-Ajah Beach.
Two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were arrested along the Ajah-Epe expressway with 26 kg of loud, 123 grams of methamphetamine, 45 grams of Molly, and a delivery van.
In Borno State, NDLEA operatives arrested Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi on July 12 with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine, along with tramadol and rohypnol pills.
Earlier on July 9, 10,000 tramadol pills were seized from Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu.
In Gombe, five suspects were arrested with 116,226 pills of tramadol and D-5 during raids conducted on July 8 and 12.
Other arrests include Sabiu Bala in Kogi with 316.6 kg of skunk on July 10, and Haladu Suleiman in Kaduna with 58.8 kg of the same substance.
In Taraba, three suspects were caught with 577,890 opioid pills and 1.16 kg of skunk concealed in a petrol tanker on July 12.
NDLEA also apprehended three suspects with 48.1 kg of skunk in Kano State on July 9.
