The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple cocaine consignments disguised in female beauty products and official documents, intensifying its crackdown on international drug trafficking networks.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the latest seizures occurred at a Lagos-based courier company last Thursday. Officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) recovered 420 grammes of cocaine hidden inside 84 pieces of factory-fitted female lipsticks bound for the United Kingdom. An additional 280 grammes were discovered concealed in a Certificate of Occupancy destined for Saudi Arabia.
In a separate sting operation in Ikeja, Lagos, a notorious drug kingpin, Ajetsibo Emami, also known as Warri Kinsman, was arrested following a three-day surveillance mission. The NDLEA dismantled his trafficking network, recovering 24 jumbo bags containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 414.2 kilogrammes.
Family Drug Ring Busted in Lagos
In a major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives apprehended a businessman, Ajah Uchenna, his wife Rosemary, their daughters Stella and Ngozi, and a family friend, Okoro Elijah, for operating a large-scale illicit drug distribution network from their home. The DSS first arrested the couple with 277.5kg of skunk in Ojo, Lagos. A follow-up NDLEA raid uncovered an additional 231kg of the same substance being managed by their children and family associate.
Airport Seizures: Cocaine, Pills, and Counterfeit Travellers’ Cheques
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, officers intercepted frequent flyer Aburemi Hysent on Wednesday attempting to smuggle 7,660 pills of tramadol hidden in food items to Italy. He confessed he was promised €800 for successful delivery.
In a separate operation, NDLEA agents uncovered 52 pieces of travellers’ cheques worth AU$17.7 million concealed in children’s books on a Turkish Airlines flight headed to Malaysia. The suspect, a freight agent identified as Bolarinwa Saheed, was taken into custody and the case referred to the EFCC for further investigation.
Operations Across States: Major Seizures and Arrests
Osun State:
In Osogbo and Ile-Ife, multiple raids led to the arrest of suspects in possession of over 62,000 pills of opioids, including pentazocine, tramadol, and codeine syrup. A 9.67-hectare cannabis farm in Oke-Ila Forest was destroyed, and seven suspects were arrested with over 24 tonnes of skunk.
Borno & Kano:
167kg of skunk was seized in Gamboru-Ngala, while 452kg was confiscated along the Zaria-Kano Road. Two suspects were arrested.
FCT & Sokoto:
In Abuja, 11,000 tramadol pills were recovered on the Kaduna expressway. In Sokoto, a 62-year-old man was arrested with 4,800 pills of tramadol.
Kebbi & Taraba:
312kg of skunk and 10,000 diazepam tablets were seized in Yauri, Kebbi. In Taraba, over 49,000 tramadol capsules were intercepted, and two suspects arrested.
Edo State:
NDLEA agents raided Ewere Forest in Owan West LGA and arrested a wanted drug baron, Alaba Monday, with 115kg of processed skunk. Three more suspects were apprehended in another farm.
Cross River:
A 78-year-old suspect, Mike Abeng, was arrested with nearly 15kg of skunk and tramadol in Obubra LGA, alongside three others found with varying quantities of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA has reiterated its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking rings and bring all perpetrators to justice, as the agency’s nationwide operations continue to yield results.
