NDLEA uncovers UK, Australia-bound drug shipments, seizes ammunition hidden in Garri  (Video)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls bound for the United Kingdom and Australia, as part of a sweeping nationwide crackdown that also saw the destruction of large cannabis plantations, recovery of military-grade ammunition, and arrests linked to drug-laced food products.

In Lagos, operatives intercepted two separate shipments on Friday, May 15, 2026, at a courier company during routine cargo inspection. A consignment destined for Australia contained 170 grams of cocaine concealed within the walls of a carton used for clothing.

In a separate shipment headed to the United Kingdom, officers discovered 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection, all hidden within packaged goods.

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives carried out major raids between May 10 and 12 in Ejeonu village, Ukwuani LGA, and Orogun in Ughelli North LGA, where vast cannabis farms were uncovered and destroyed.

At Ejeonu, about 27,500kg of skunk cultivated on 11 hectares was destroyed, while 22.9kg was recovered and a 52-year-old suspect, Ifeanyichukwu Peter, was arrested in a follow-up operation in Obiaruku.

A similar operation in Orogun led to the destruction of 37,500kg of skunk on 15 hectares, with 55.4kg recovered and the arrest of 30-year-old Godwin Vincent Osadera. This brings the total destruction in both operations to 65,000kg of cannabis sativa.

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In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a major ammunition trafficking attempt on Tuesday, May 12, along the Abuja–Kaduna highway. A suspect, Abdullahi Hassan, was arrested with 1,989 rounds of 7.62mm RLA military-grade ammunition, cleverly concealed in bags of garri (cassava granules).

The suspect and the seized ammunition have since been handed over to another security agency for further investigation.

In a related operation in Zaria on Wednesday, May 13, officers arrested Husaini Suleiman, 42, with 361kg of skunk during a raid in the Dan Magaji area.

In the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives on Monday, May 11, arrested a 29-year-old businessman, Ogadi Peter, who allegedly specialised in producing drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social events.

He was arrested at his residence in Life Camp following intelligence gathering. Officers recovered 800 grams of skunk and 2.70kg of drug-infused cookies from the suspect.

In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives recovered 181kg of skunk during a raid in the Ogere area, while a suspect, Aliyu Sani, was arrested.

In Taraba State, Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa, 27, was arrested along Zaki-Biam road in Wukari LGA with 105,850 pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

In Oyo State, two suspects—Adeleke Olamide Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25—were arrested in connection with 99 litres of “skuchies”, a locally abused psychoactive cocktail.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,388.4kg of skunk cultivated on farms in Ago forest, Orhionmwon LGA, on Friday, May 15.

In Kano, a 25-litre jerrycan of palm oil concealing 1.2kg of tramaking 225mg pills was intercepted at Kofar Ruwa motor park, while Aminu Isa, 35, was arrested at Sabuwar Sharada with 30.5kg of skunk.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Taraba, Kano, FCT, and Edo Commands for their sustained operational successes, while urging continued balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies.

He also praised personnel nationwide for intensifying both enforcement actions and public sensitisation efforts aimed at curbing drug abuse across Nigeria.