NDLEA intercepts Saudi-bound Cannabis hidden in palm oil, seizes N7bn Tramadol at Lagos Port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, intended for shipment to Saudi Arabia, while seizing 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol valued at more than ₦6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The operations also led to the seizure of large consignments of cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances across several states, with dozens of suspects arrested, including an 85-year-old grandmother in Edo State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the cannabis consignment was intercepted on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah via Addis Ababa.

The passenger, identified as Fatimah Ahmad, was found with 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a palm oil gallon. She reportedly told operatives that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, gave her the container. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.

At the Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives and other security agencies discovered 8,725kg of powdered tramadol hydrochloride imported from India and declared as maize starch. The shipment, separated from its concealment on October 14, comprised 349 bags valued at over N6.98 billion.

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At the Tin Can Port, officers also recovered 55kg of Canadian Loud, valued at ₦165 million, hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle transported in a 40-foot container.

In another Lagos operation, officers raided Idumota Market on October 14, arresting Elizabeth Chidera Kalu and recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly.

Two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested in Mushin with 59.95kg and 61.23kg of cannabis, respectively. Officers also intercepted a truck along Iyana Oba, recovering 18,000 tramadol 250mg pills concealed in cartons labelled as insecticide. Two suspects were arrested.

In Edo State, six suspects were arrested during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities. Among them was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, found with 179kg of cannabis. Another suspect, Ayo Aigberadion, was arrested with 220.8kg.

In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 7,500kg of cannabis at a three-hectare farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest and arrested five suspects. Officers also recovered 375kg of cannabis from a suspect in Owo.

Other seizures included 894,800 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 tablets in Bauchi State, 30,100 tramadol tablets in Kano, 496.5kg of cannabis in Kaduna, and 29,500 tramadol capsules in Abuja.

The agency also recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265kg from an abandoned vehicle along the Bauchi-Gombe Road.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the affected commands for their intelligence-driven operations.

Marwa urged personnel nationwide to sustain the crackdown on drug trafficking networks while maintaining the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities across the country.