Drug traffickers try new concealment methods, but NDLEA says its nationwide crackdown is tightening the net.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has exposed new smuggling tactics used by drug cartels, intercepting opioids hidden in body cream containers, winter jackets, carton walls and other concealed packaging at Lagos airport.
The seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier facility, stopping attempts to export drugs to Italy, New Zealand, Europe and other destinations.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said two suspects were arrested on March 20 in separate Italy-bound operations.
One suspect, Friday Ehianuka, was caught with 2,698 tramadol pills hidden inside skin-lightening cream containers in his luggage. He reportedly confessed he was promised payment in euros after delivery in Rome.
In another case, Christian Agbonhese was intercepted with 28,470 opioid pills concealed inside winter jackets during a routine check at the airport departure hall.
The agency also seized cannabis shipments from the United States and methamphetamine hidden inside carton walls meant for export to New Zealand.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operations across the country led to major busts, including:
Kano: over 190kg of skunk seized
Lagos (Ijora & Third Mainland Bridge): over 21,000 bottles of codeine recovered
FCT: nearly 92,000 tramadol pills hidden in a bus intercepted on the Gwagwalada expressway
Oyo: 70kg+ of skunk traced to cross-border smuggling via Benin Republic
Kaduna: over 500,000 tramadol pills seized on Kaduna–Zaria highway
Adamawa & Taraba: multiple arrests linked to large opioid shipments
NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa praised officers nationwide, urging continued enforcement alongside public awareness campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse initiative.
The agency says its message is clear: no hiding place for drug traffickers.
Leave a comment