The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 7.5 kilograms of cocaine to Beijing, China.
The suspect, who claimed she regularly travelled to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on June 21, following credible intelligence.
Key highlights:
- NDLEA arrested a businesswoman with 7.5kg of cocaine at Lagos airport.
- Officers seized Canadian Loud cannabis worth N12.3 billion at Apapa Port.
- The agency uncovered a drug-planting syndicate targeting bus passengers.
- Several suspects were arrested over cannabis and Tramadol trafficking.
- Illicit drugs were intercepted in Lagos, Abuja and along major highways.
- NDLEA also continued its anti-drug awareness campaign nationwide.
According to the agency, a search of her checked luggage uncovered four large parcels of cocaine concealed in a professionally fabricated false bottom of the suitcase.
In a separate operation, the anti-narcotics agency intercepted 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, valued at N12.397 billion in street value, at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The illicit consignment, concealed in a 40-foot container carrying a Ford and a Nissan vehicle, was recovered during a joint examination involving officers of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The agency said the shipment had been under surveillance for over four weeks, tracing its movement from Toronto, Canada, through Montreal and Morocco before arriving at Tin Can Port on June 4 and subsequently transferred to Apapa Port, where it was intercepted.
Meanwhile, operatives of the NDLEA in the Federal Capital Territory, working with their counterparts in Anambra State, uncovered a syndicate that allegedly plants illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers travelling by commercial buses.
The breakthrough followed the interception of a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi, Anambra State, at Abaji, Abuja, on June 20.
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A package containing 467.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in a passenger’s luggage.
The passenger, Mrs Gloria Peter, denied ownership of the package, prompting further investigation.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of the bus loaders, who allegedly confessed that the drugs had been planted in the woman’s luggage on the instruction of the driver, Abdurrazak Isah.
The driver later identified one of the passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the owner of the illicit consignment, leading to his arrest.
In another operation, operatives arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos, with 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud, another strong strain of cannabis, allegedly being transported to Enugu State.
The agency also arrested two Beninese nationals, Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19, alongside a Nigerian, Jackson ThankGod, after intercepting a truck conveying illicit drugs from Togo through the Benin Republic.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment.
Similarly, Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo were arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while transporting 118 kilograms of skunk hidden among legitimate goods in a truck travelling from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State.
Also arrested in Lagos were Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, following the recovery of 28.8 kilograms of skunk at a residence on Olumokun Street, Amukoko.
Investigations, according to the agency, revealed that Helen allegedly stored the illicit drugs with Rashidat before distributing them to customers.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA said it sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Enugu states during the week.
