NDLEA Intercepts Over 31 Million Opioid Pills at Apapa Seaport, Several Grams of Cannabis at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed on Sunday that it recently intercepted over 31 million pills of opioids at Lagos’ Apapa seaport. The pills, each 240 mg in strength, were labelled as diclofenac tablets and hidden in a container imported from India. The seizure reportedly occurred on November 6 during a joint inspection by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies.

At Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA officers intercepted another shipment on Tuesday. This time, it was 700 grams of cannabis. A software engineer, Olu Marshal, was arrested when he attempted to claim the package. A search of his Lekki home uncovered additional drug paraphernalia, including a cannabis crusher.

In a separate case, NDLEA operatives foiled a plan to export 32.5 kg of codeine syrup and 5.7 kilograms of cannabis. Suspect Orji Ogbonna Nnaorji had concealed the drugs within a tiger nuts shipment, aiming to send it to London. Following his arrest at Lagos airport, a follow-up raid at his warehouse in Ajao Estate led to further evidence. NDLEA’s special operations unit also apprehended Adejumo Elijah Ishola, 37, at the Seme border. Ishola was caught with 3.3 kg of cocaine and 600 grams of synthetic cannabis while returning from Ghana. His arrest concluded months of intelligence gathering on his suspected cross-border drug activities.

Cocaine seizures are on the rise across West Africa, especially in countries like Nigeria, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. In early September, authorities in Guinea-Bissau seized a private aircraft loaded with 2,633 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were packed into 78 bales, marking the country’s largest drug bust to date.

In Nigeria, there is now an increasing shift towards local consumption and distribution. The country, whose president has a connection to drug trafficking allegations, faces growing challenges in tackling domestic drug activity.

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