NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine ingeniously concealed in a local mortar and the false bottom of a backpack destined for China and Italy, while also arresting suspected drug traffickers in Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Nasarawa and Zamfara states in a nationwide crackdown.

The seizures were made by operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) at a logistics company in Lagos on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to the agency, officers recovered 250 grams of cocaine factory-fitted into the base of a locally made mortar packaged for export to China. In a separate interception, another 500 grams of cocaine was discovered hidden inside the false bottom of a backpack billed for shipment to Italy.

In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 38-year-old suspected notorious drug dealer, Ugo Gift Okonkwo, at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, following actionable intelligence.

READ ALSO; NDLEA arrests 49 suspects, seizes over 2.5 tonnes of illicit drugs in Edo

The suspect was apprehended on Sunday, July 26, with various quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, Swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.

In Anambra State, NDLEA officers conducting a stop-and-search operation at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha intercepted a truck with registration number XK 131 BDG loaded with 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 3,960 kilograms.

The truck driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Similarly, operatives recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KUJ 26 DV along the Kwale-Ughelli Expressway in Delta State on Sunday, July 26.

In Nasarawa State, NDLEA officers arrested 64-year-old Joseph Nwaeke on Tuesday, July 28, at Asso Angwan Muazu in Karu Local Government Area, where they recovered 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.

In another operation in Zamfara State, operatives on patrol along the Zaria-Gusau highway intercepted Sani Umar, 27, on Monday, July 27, while allegedly transporting 7,400 tablets of Tramadol 225mg suspected to be supplies intended for criminal elements operating in the area.

Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its commands and formations nationwide sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, motor parks and communities.

Among the awareness activities conducted during the week were lectures for students and staff of Hausawa Special Primary School in Kano, Royal Crown School in Oluyole, Ibadan, Government Secondary School in Ibi, Taraba State, and commercial drivers at the Challenge Bus Terminal Park in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Commending officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations as well as commands in Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Nasarawa and Zamfara for the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to remain committed to the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive enforcement and sustained public sensitisation in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.