NDLEA Smashes 6 Drug Syndicates, Seizes Meth, Cocaine Hidden in Machine Cylinders, Auto Parts at Lagos Airport — nabs 9 Kingpins Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking organisations, dismantling at least six major syndicates and arresting nine kingpins in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations.
The crackdown led to the interception of tons of illicit drugs concealed in machine cylinders, auto parts, paracetamol containers, flight boarding passes, and other deceptive packages.
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Major Airport Seizures
On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, NDLEA operatives arrested two members of a drug syndicate at a logistics company in Onitsha, Anambra State, after they came to collect consignments containing:
- 5.40kg methamphetamine
- 10.70kg Loud (a potent cannabis strain)
- 16g cocaine
- 200g phenacetin
- 200g methcathinone
- 100g caffeine
The drugs were hidden in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa with airway bill number 118-12882973.
The suspects, Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu, 30, and Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, 51, were arrested following a sting operation triggered by the seizure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
In another operation at the Lagos airport on 20 November, officers intercepted a brake servo automobile part containing 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg bound for Gabon. A freight agent, Ameh Solomon, and an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, were arrested.
Kogi & Plateau: 4.7 Tons of Skunk Intercepted
A trailer transporting 4,700kg of skunk was intercepted in Kabba, Kogi State, leading to the arrest of three suspects. A follow-up operation in Jos resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
Cross River: Couple Arrested With Massive Drug Stockpile
A couple, Onun Okoi Okpotum, 55, and Itam Okoi Okpotum, 52, were arrested after NDLEA recovered 362 jumbo bags of skunk (4,706kg) from their warehouse in Ugep, Yakurr LGA.
Edo: Ladies Selling Drug-Laced Brownies Arrested
Two young women, Praise Nwogu, 19, and Ebong Emem Oghosa, 25, were arrested in Benin City for producing and selling brownies infused with illicit drugs online. Officers recovered drug-laced brownies, 76g of skunk, and 1.5g of Colorado.
A separate raid in Ososo village, Akoko Edo LGA, led to the arrest of Shedrack Aminu, 35, with 59kg of skunk.
Enugu: Armed Drug Courier Intercepted
Along Enugu–Onitsha road, NDLEA intercepted Chinoso Emmanuel Monday, 24, with 10.1kg of skunk, 105,600 tramadol pills, 700 ampoules of pentazocine, and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Kebbi & Niger: Codeine Warehouses, Boko Haram Supply Route Busted
In Kebbi, officers evacuated 13,155 bottles of codeine from a warehouse in Dole-Kaina.
A suspect, Umar Adamu, 23, was caught transporting 12,548 opioid pills concealed in paracetamol containers to a Boko Haram enclave in Borno.
Along Abaji–Abuja expressway, NDLEA arrested Anthony Mercy, 40, and Sunday Augustine, 39, with 430.5kg of skunk.
In Niger, Samson Dafe, 47, was arrested with over 85,100 opioid pills and 5,456 bottles of codeine. A raid at Sani Mohammed’s residence in Shiroro LGA yielded 437 blocks of skunk (471.8kg).
Lagos Raids: Loud, Colorado, Online Dealers Arrested
In Lekki, Usman Ayoola Adegoke was arrested with 71kg of Canadian Loud, while Oluchi Celestine was found with 2.6kg of Colorado hidden in branded containers and flight boarding passes.
A joint NDLEA–military raid on the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island recovered 385kg of skunk, Loud, and Colorado.
Another 163,200 capsules of tramadol were seized at a motor park in Maza Maza, Lagos.
WADA Campaign Intensifies Nationwide
NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization in schools, worship centres, and communities.
Marwa: Crackdown Necessary Ahead of Festive Season
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), praised the operatives for their vigilance and emphasized that the heavy crackdown is deliberate, given the festive period when cartels intensify their activities.
“We must not, and will not, let down our guard,” he said.
NDLEA Smashes 6 Drug Syndicates, Seizes Meth, Cocaine Hidden in Machine Cylinders, Auto Parts at Lagos Airport — nabs 9 Kingpins Nationwide