NDLEA INTERCEPTS N12.3BN CANNABIS SHIPMENT, ARRESTS CHINA -BOUND BUSINESSWOMAN WITH COCAINE

NDLEA INTERCEPTS N12.3BN CANNABIS SHIPMENT, ARRESTS CHINA -BOUND BUSINESSWOMAN WITH COCAINE 
By Jennifer Nwosu 


The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded another major breakthrough in its' nationwide offensive against drug trafficking with the arrest of a businesswoman attempting to smuggle cocaine to China, the seizure of illicit drugs worth over N12.3 billion at the Lagos Port and the dismantling of a criminal syndicate that secretly plants drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting interstate passengers.

In a statement released by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the operations underscore the determination of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), to intensify intelligence-driven enforcement while strengthening efforts to dismantle local and transnational drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria.

One of the major arrests involved 38-year-old Iwebema Ogechi Peace, who was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives searched her luggage and discovered 7.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside a professionally constructed false bottom. The suspect, who claimed she frequently travelled to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria, was arrested on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

At the Apapa Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, recovered 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N12.397 billion. The shipment, concealed inside a 40-foot container carrying a Ford and Nissan vehicle, had been under surveillance for more than four weeks after departing Toronto, Canada, and transiting through Montreal, Morocco, Tin Can Port and eventually Apapa Port before it was intercepted during a joint examination on June 23.

The agency also uncovered a criminal syndicate that secretly inserts illicit drugs into the luggage of unsuspecting passengers at motor parks. The investigation began after NDLEA operatives intercepted a Sienna bus travelling from Anambra to Abuja and discovered 467.7 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a passenger's luggage. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of the intended receiver, Mrs. Gloria Peter, who denied ownership of the package. Further investigations traced the scheme to bus loaders in Nnewi, who admitted placing the drugs in her luggage on the instruction of driver Abdurrazak Isah. The investigation ultimately identified passenger Onyebuchi Victor Okoye as the owner of the illicit consignment, leading to his arrest in Abuja.

In another operation, operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos while attempting to transport 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud to Enugu.

The agency also intercepted a truck transporting illicit drugs from Togo through the Republic of Benin into Nigeria. Three suspected transnational traffickers; Hossou Tito Julien (30), Mancellim Dossou (19), both nationals of Benin Republic and Nigerian suspect Jackson ThankGod, were arrested after operatives discovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed inside a specially fabricated compartment beneath the truck.

Along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, NDLEA officers arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo, who were transporting 118 kilograms of skunk concealed among legitimate cargo destined for Onitsha.

Another raid at 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, Lagos, led to the arrest of Helen Ese Idiji (40) and Rashidat Sa'adullah (53), with 28.8 kilograms of skunk recovered. Investigations revealed that Helen allegedly stored drug consignments at Rashidat's residence before distributing them to customers.

Beyond enforcement, the agency sustained its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign with sensitization programmes held in schools and communities across Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Enugu States, reinforcing its' commitment to reducing both drug supply and demand.

The NDLEA leadership commended officers of the MMIA, Special Operations Units, Apapa, FCT, Anambra and Lagos Commands for the successful operations, urging personnel nationwide to sustain the current momentum in protecting Nigeria from the growing threat of illicit drug trafficking.

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