The Nigerian anti-narcotics agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disrupted a web of sophisticated drug trafficking rings across Nigeria, seizing large quantities of cocaine, cannabis, opioids, and counterfeit currency while arresting dozens of suspects.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted cocaine concealed in female lipsticks and a Certificate of Occupancy being shipped to the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
According to agency spokesman Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made at a courier company on Thursday. “420 grammes of cocaine were factory-fitted in 84 lipsticks, while 280 grammes were hidden in a property title document,” he said.
Major Drug Lords and Family Cartels Busted in Lagos
In a separate operation, a notorious drug baron, Ajetsibo Emami, also known as Warri Kinsman, was arrested in Ikeja on June 28 after a three-day manhunt.
NDLEA officers seized 681 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 414.2kg from 24 jumbo bags belonging to Emami’s network. The shipment was reportedly headed for Lekki for redistribution across Nigeria.
Another bust targeted a family-run drug cartel in Ojo, Lagos. Businessman Ajah Uchenna, his wife Rosemary, and their daughters were arrested with over 508.5kg of skunk. Despite being in custody, their family friend and daughters continued the operation until a raid exposed their warehouse.
International Trafficking Foiled at Lagos Airport
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, a Nigerian frequent flyer, Aburemi Hysent, was arrested with 7,660 tramadol pills hidden in food items. He confessed he was to earn €800 for delivering the drugs to Italy.
Also at the airport, NDLEA seized 52 counterfeit travellers’ cheques worth AU$17.7 million hidden in children’s books. A freight agent, Bolarinwa Saheed, was arrested and handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
NDLEA raided locations across Osun State, including a vulcanizer’s workshop and patent medicine shop in Osogbo and Ile-Ife. Over 63,000 pills of opioids were recovered and multiple arrests made.
In Ikaka, Oke-Ila Forest, agents destroyed 9.67 hectares of cannabis farms, recovering over 24 tonnes of skunk and arresting seven suspects.
The agency also uncovered 359kg of skunk near the Seme border, and intercepted 10,000 tramadol pills and 1.05kg of Colorado along the Okene-Lokoja highway.
Nationwide Crackdown Yields Massive Results
From Borno to Taraba, Kano to Cross River, the NDLEA intercepted drugs, raided hidden farms, and dismantled trafficking networks.
In Edo State, a raid on Ewere Forest led to the arrest of Alaba Monday, a long-wanted suspect. Three others were caught cultivating over 2 hectares of cannabis.
In Cross River, 78-year-old Mike Abeng was found with 14.49kg of skunk and tramadol, while others were arrested at Ovonum village.
According to Babafemi, the NDLEA continues its offensive against drug syndicates. The seizures and arrests are part of the agency’s national operation to combat illicit drug trafficking and save communities from narcotics abuse.
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