Drug Agency Seizes Illicit Drugs Worth Over ₦10 Billion in Nationwide Operations
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-narcotics campaign with the interception of various illicit substances valued at more than ₦10 billion during coordinated operations across Lagos and other parts of the country. The seizures followed intelligence-driven actions targeting drug trafficking networks operating through airports, seaports and courier channels.
According to the agency, a 55-year-old businessman was apprehended in connection with an attempt to export cocaine concealed within cartons of food items bound for the United Kingdom. Investigations into the shipment led to the arrest of several individuals involved in handling the consignment, with authorities identifying the suspect as a key figure in the trafficking network.
In a separate operation, a female entrepreneur was taken into custody after security operatives intercepted a consignment of synthetic cannabis traced to her residence in Lagos. The shipment had reportedly arrived from the United States, prompting further investigation and enforcement action.
The agency also uncovered a large quantity of pharmaceutical opioids imported from India, with millions of pills seized during a joint cargo examination at the Lagos airport. Additional discoveries included tramadol hidden in packaged goods destined for export, as well as a significant haul of synthetic cannabis concealed within imported vehicles at the Apapa seaport.
Beyond Lagos, enforcement efforts extended to northern Nigeria, where a suspect was arrested in Katsina State with a cache of ammunition. The NDLEA stated that these operations underscore its ongoing commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks and strengthening national security through sustained surveillance and intelligence-led interventions.
