₦3.4bn Drug Haul Busted! NDLEA Nabs Fake Cop With 292kg Cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis, in a series of intelligence-led operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory. The agency said the seized substances have a combined street value of more than ₦3.4 billion.

According to Bush Radio Academy, one of the major breakthroughs involved the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75kg and valued at approximately ₦1.81 billion at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos. The consignment reportedly arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12 and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the NDLEA. A joint examination involving the agency, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16 led to the discovery of the illicit substance concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags placed in two Toyota Sienna vehicles within a 40-foot container.

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man identified as Innocent Ekpe along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba. The agency alleged that Ekpe had been impersonating a senior police officer to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs. He was reportedly found with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.

The NDLEA said preliminary investigations indicated that Ekpe allegedly presented himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and used a forged police identification card. A 39-year-old alleged accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested in connection with the operation.

In Edo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop along Agbor Road in Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai. According to the agency, 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152g of methamphetamine were recovered from the premises, which it alleged was being used to store illicit drugs.

In Niger State, three suspects identified as Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18, were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi in Tafa Local Government Area. The suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a locally made pistol, magazines and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Similarly, two suspects, Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, were arrested along the Abaji-Abuja Highway. The NDLEA said operatives recovered more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, alongside codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets. The substances were allegedly concealed in eight sacks while being transported from Onitsha in Anambra State to Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

In Lagos, operatives recovered 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg from Onyeka Ofor, who was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere. Another suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was arrested after seven cartons containing 59kg of cannabis were intercepted at a logistics company.

The agency also reported the arrest of 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo in Lagos, where 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered. In Gombe State, 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested at separate locations in the state.

In Imo State, another suspect was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk, while in Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest. The agency said about 5,000kg of cannabis was destroyed during the operation, with 48kg of dried and fresh cannabis recovered for evidentiary purposes.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the affected commands to maintain their intelligence-driven approach to combating drug trafficking and abuse. He also called for the continuation of what he described as a balanced strategy in the agency’s nationwide drug control efforts.