National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Nwobodo Basil, described as a notorious ex-convict, along with three cargo agents over an attempt to smuggle cocaine to the United Kingdom.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Sunday, the agency said the suspects were caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with 75 wraps of cocaine weighing about 1.5 kilograms.
The drugs were hidden inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch meant for export. NDLEA identified the cargo agents as Jubrin Hassana, Kuku Oluwasegun, and Igwe Jane.
It said investigations showed that Basil had previously been convicted in 2023 for exporting a large quantity of methamphetamine concealed in food items and bound for London.
He reportedly paid a fine and completed a short community service before returning to drug trafficking.
According to the agency, the three cargo handlers were arrested on December 20, while Basil was picked up a day later in Ikeja as he prepared to move the consignment abroad.
NDLEA also reported major drug seizures in other parts of the country during the same period. In Ekiti State, officers destroyed large quantities of cannabis at a forest location where hundreds of kilograms of the substance were recovered.
Similar operations in Edo and Cross River states led to the interception of drugs being moved in vehicles and warehouses, as well as the arrest of several suspects.
Further arrests were made in Abuja, Lagos, Taraba, Gombe, and at the Tin Can seaport, where NDLEA operatives recovered different quantities of cannabis and controlled pharmaceutical drugs from suspects, including a businessman linked to a seized container shipment.
The agency said the arrests were part of ongoing nationwide operations to disrupt drug trafficking networks and reduce the flow of illicit substances into and out of the country.
It added that its commands are continuing public sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse initiative to educate Nigerians on the dangers of drug use.
