NDLEA seizes 6.10kg liquid cocaine concealed in shirts, towels

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman who allegedly attempted to smuggle 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine into the country, concealed inside shirts and towels, in what officials described as part of intensified nationwide anti-drug operations.

The suspect, 41-year-old Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, shortly after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives discovered 14 shirts and towels in the suspect’s luggage that had been soaked in liquid cocaine, dried, and carefully ironed in an attempt to evade airport security detection.

“Abugu was arrested upon arrival from Brazil on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A detailed search of his luggage revealed 14 towels and shirts soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and neatly ironed,” Babafemi stated.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect had lived in Brazil for over 14 years, where he reportedly runs an African restaurant. He claimed he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and procure food items for his business.

NDLEA said the arrest forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks, which has recently intensified across airports, highways, and border communities.

Babafemi further disclosed that the agency also arrested two persons living with disabilities in separate operations in Abia and Rivers States.

In Abia State, a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, was arrested in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, after being caught with 1.8 kilograms of skunk. She was initially intercepted by a local vigilante group before being handed over to NDLEA operatives.

READ ALSO: NDLEA records major breakthrough, intercept drugs hidden in water purifiers

In Rivers State, a 28-year-old suspect, Abubakar Usman, was arrested during a raid in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, with multiple illicit substances including skunk, methamphetamine, tramadol, swinol, and diazepam.

The agency’s operations extended across several states with significant interceptions:

In Delta State, operatives arrested 36-year-old Onya Jude with five gas cylinders concealing 2.8kg of Loud cannabis in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA.

In Gombe State, Jamilu Idris (alias “Jama”) and Aminu Abdullahi (alias “Momo”) were arrested with 2.738kg of skunk.

Along the Zaria–Kano Road, a female suspect, Ngozi Gaius, was caught with 6,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg.

In Kwara State, officers intercepted 304kg of skunk hidden in 600 compressed blocks inside a Toyota Jeep.

In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse belonging to Ali Adamu, recovering 1,121.5kg of cannabis sativa packed in 63 jumbo bags.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Emmanuel Nnadi was arrested along the Gwagwalada Expressway with over 30,000 tramadol tablets, pregabalin capsules, molly tablets, and bottles of codeine-based syrup.

In Lagos State, operatives recovered 1,102kg of Ghana Loud cannabis near Alaba International Market in Ojo.

The agency also confirmed that its commands nationwide have continued sensitisation efforts under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, targeting schools, workplaces, religious centres, and communities.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the series of arrests and seizures, praising their operational efficiency and commitment.

Marwa urged personnel to sustain the momentum, stressing the need to balance drug supply reduction efforts with continued public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing substance abuse across the country.