By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a businesswoman travelling to China with 7.5 kilograms of cocaine and intercepted illicit drugs worth over N12.39 billion in separate operations across Nigeria. The arrests and seizures occurred between June 20 and June 27, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Apapa Port, Abuja, Lagos, and other locations. NDLEA officers also dismantled a drug syndicate that planted narcotics in passengers’ luggage and arrested several suspected traffickers. The operations form part of the agency’s nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking.
Businesswoman Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport
NDLEA operatives arrested Iwebema Ogechi Peace, 38, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
She intended to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China, on June 21, 2026.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched her luggage and discovered four parcels of cocaine weighing 7.5 kilograms. The trafficker had concealed the drugs inside a professionally designed false bottom of her suitcase.
The suspect claimed she regularly travelled to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria.
NDLEA Seizes N12.39 Billion Worth of Canadian Loud
In another major operation, NDLEA intercepted 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The drugs, valued at N12.397 billion, arrived inside a 40-foot container carrying a Ford and Nissan vehicle.
The agency monitored the shipment for over four weeks. The container travelled from Toronto, Canada, through Montreal and Morocco, before reaching Lagos.
On June 23, NDLEA officers conducted a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. The inspection uncovered 195 large sacks of cannabis.
NDLEA Busts Syndicate Planting Drugs in Passengers’ Luggage
NDLEA operatives in Abuja, working with colleagues in Anambra State, uncovered a syndicate that secretly planted drugs inside passengers’ bags at motor parks.
The investigation began after officers intercepted a Sienna bus from Nnewi at Abaji, Abuja, on June 20.
During the search, officers recovered 467.7 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a passenger’s luggage.
They later arrested the intended recipient, Gloria Peter, at Utako Motor Park. She denied ownership of the drugs.
Further investigations led to the arrest of bus loaders in Nnewi. One loader confessed that he placed the drugs inside the woman’s bag on the driver’s instructions.
The driver, Abdurrazak Isah, later identified Onyebuchi Victor Okoye as the owner of the illicit consignment. NDLEA subsequently arrested the suspect in Abuja.
NDLEA Arrests Suspect with Scottish Loud
On June 27, NDLEA officers arrested Ikechukwu Uwakwe, 57, at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos.
He allegedly attempted to transport 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud to Enugu.
Officers intercepted the consignment before it left Lagos.
Three Suspects Nabbed with 558,900 Tramadol Pills
NDLEA also arrested two Beninese nationals, Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19, alongside Jackson ThankGod, a Nigerian.
The suspects travelled from Togo through the Benin Republic before officers intercepted their truck on Mile 2 Bridge, Lagos.
A search revealed 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a fabricated compartment beneath the truck.
More Drug Arrests Across Lagos
In another operation, NDLEA arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The suspects transported 118 kilograms of skunk alongside legitimate goods in a truck heading to Onitsha.
Meanwhile, officers arrested Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, at Amukoko, Lagos.
The operation led to the recovery of 28.8 kilograms of skunk.
Investigators revealed that Helen stored the drugs with Rashidat before distributing them to customers.
NDLEA Expands Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Besides enforcement operations, NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign nationwide.
The agency organised sensitisation programmes in schools across Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi, and Enugu States.
The initiative aims to educate students and communities about the dangers of drug abuse.
Marwa Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers involved in the successful operations.
He commended personnel from the MMIA, Special Operations Units, Apapa, FCT, Anambra, and Lagos Commands.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to sustain the agency’s drug supply reduction efforts while expanding public awareness campaigns against drug abuse.
