NDLEA Seizes N12.4bn Canadian Cannabis at Lagos Port, Dismantles Drug Syndicate Targeting Passengers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis with an estimated street value of N12.397 billion, in one of the agency's biggest seizures this year.

The interception, carried out at Apapa Port, Lagos, was the highlight of a series of intelligence-led operations across the country that also led to multiple arrests, the discovery of cocaine concealed in airline luggage, the dismantling of a syndicate planting illicit drugs in passengers bags, and the recovery of large quantities of narcotics.

According to the agency, the cannabis shipment was intercepted on Wednesday, June 23, following more than four weeks of surveillance conducted by officers of the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, other security agencies and port stakeholders.

Investigators said the container had been under close monitoring since April 25, when it departed Toronto, Canada.

The shipment was transported by truck to Montreal, moved by rail before arriving at Tanger Med Port in Morocco, where it was loaded onto another vessel on May 23. It eventually arrived at Tin Can Port, Lagos, on June 4, was discharged the following day and later transferred to Apapa Port, where officers intercepted it.

The container also carried a Ford vehicle and a Nissan vehicle, which were concealed alongside the illicit consignment.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, while she attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China.

The suspect, who reportedly claimed she regularly travelled to China for business, was arrested following credible intelligence.

A search of her luggage uncovered 7.5 kilograms of cocaine, professionally concealed inside a false compartment at the bottom of her suitcase.

The agency also uncovered what it described as a criminal syndicate that secretly plants illicit drugs inside the luggage of unsuspecting interstate passengers.

The investigation began after NDLEA officers in Abuja, working with colleagues in Anambra State, intercepted a commercial Toyota Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi at Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory on June 20.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 467.7 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a black nylon bag hidden in a sack of clothes bearing the receiver's telephone number.

The intended recipient, Mrs. Gloria Peter, was subsequently arrested at Utako Motor Park but denied ownership or knowledge of the package.

Further investigations led officers to Nnewi, where a bus loader allegedly confessed to placing the drugs inside the woman's luggage on the instruction of the driver, Abdurrazak Isah.

The driver later identified one of his passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the owner of the illicit consignment. Okoye was subsequently arrested in Abuja.

In another operation, officers of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos, after recovering 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud, another potent cannabis strain, concealed in cargo destined for 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 on Mile 2 Bridge, Lagos.

According to the NDLEA, the suspects were transporting illicit drugs from Togo through the Benin Republic into Nigeria.

A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a specially fabricated compartment.

In another operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, officers arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo while transporting 118 kilograms of skunk concealed among legitimate goods in a truck travelling from Ebute Ero, Lagos Island, to Onitsha, Anambra State.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives raided a property at No. 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, Lagos, where they arrested Helen Ese Idiji 40 and Rashidat Sa'adullah 53, recovering 28.8 kilograms of skunk.

Investigations indicated that Helen allegedly stored narcotics at Rashidat's residence before distributing them to customers.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued across schools, communities, workplaces and religious centres nationwide.

The sensitisation programme reached institutions including Government Girls Science Secondary School, Damaturu (Yobe State), Adesalu Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki (Lagos), Government Girls Secondary School, Badawa (Kano), School of Science and Islamic Studies, Ankpa (Kogi State) and Community Secondary School, Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Commending officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised personnel from the Apapa Strategic Command, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Special Operations Unit, Lagos, Anambra and FCT Commands for their professionalism.

Marwa urged the officers to sustain the momentum by combining aggressive drug supply reduction with continuous public enlightenment against drug abuse across the country.