National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, including cocaine and tramadol concealed in vehicle side mirrors and lipsticks.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agency revealed that the first seizure occurred on July 19, when officers discovered 57,420 tramadol pills and 57 cocaine pellets (1.6kg) hidden inside 71 vehicle side mirrors bound for Gabon.
The cargo agent, Ihekweme Benedict, was apprehended, and further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Uzochukwu Chukwurah, from whose residence an additional 1kg of cocaine was recovered, bringing the total cocaine seized to 2.6kg.
In a related case, a woman, Roseann Nwafor, was arrested on August 1 at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos after NDLEA officials uncovered 100g of cocaine and 300g of phenacetine inside lipstick containers intended for Equatorial Guinea.
Her arrest followed that of two cargo agents linked to the shipment. She admitted purchasing the lipsticks while her husband, now at large, handled the concealment.
Nationwide, NDLEA operatives carried out multiple arrests and drug seizures. In Abuja, three dispatch riders were caught with Canadian Loud, while others were found transporting over 90kg of skunk.
In Lagos, synthetic cannabis and cannabis-laced drinks were confiscated, while in Benue, a suspect was caught with over 100,000 tramadol capsules.
Other seizures included 233.5kg of skunk in Edo state, 7,218 opioid pills in Ogun state, 77.5kg of skunk in Oyo, multiple drugs including codeine and tramadol in Delta, 61kg of skunk in Kano, 90kg of skunk and methamphetamine in Osun, along with a bus and cash.
Meanwhile, the agency has intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with awareness activities held across schools, religious centres, and traditional institutions in states like Yobe, Sokoto, Enugu, and Borno. Advocacy visits also included the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo in Osun state.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa praised the coordinated efforts of officers nationwide, urging them to maintain the agency’s dual strategy of enforcement and public education.
