NDLEA foils international drug Trafficking rings, seizes illicit shipments

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted large consignments of cocaine, opioids, and cannabis concealed in prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing.

The illicit shipments were destined for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates through logistics firms and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

The anti-narcotics agency also made multiple arrests in connection with these attempts, including a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was caught on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of MMIA.

She was about to board an Air France flight to Italy when NDLEA officers found 190 parcels of Tramadol 225mg and an additional parcel of skunk hidden in her luggage. During interrogation, she admitted to purchasing the drugs herself with the intention of reselling them in Italy.

In another major interception at MMIA’s export shed on Tuesday, March 11, operatives arrested a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, attempting to ship a consignment of clothes concealing 400 grams of skunk to New York, USA.

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Meanwhile, NDLEA officers at various logistics firms in Lagos uncovered and thwarted further attempts to smuggle over two kilograms of illicit substances, including Loud, Molly, and Tramadol (225mg and 365mg), hidden in vitamin C bottles and female garments destined for the US.

Other shipments of 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes, and board game packs meant for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE were also intercepted between March 10 and 12.

Beyond Lagos, NDLEA intensified its operations across Nigeria, leading to multiple seizures and arrest

In addition to these successful operations, NDLEA continued its “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) sensitization campaigns across various communities, schools, and workplaces. Awareness lectures were held at U.P.E School, Ilara Epe, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Michika, Adamawa; Agbegi High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi; Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, among others.

Commending the officers and men involved in these arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), acknowledged their relentless efforts in tackling drug trafficking nationwide.

He praised the balanced approach of drug supply reduction and demand reduction initiatives, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to eradicating illicit drug activities in Nigeria.