NDLEA intercepts N10bn worth of cocaine, others at Lagos ports

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced significant drug seizures at Lagos ports, totaling N10 billion in illicit substances. The operation led to the arrest of a businessman, his cargo agents, and a syndicate kingpin involved in exporting cocaine to the United Kingdom.

The agency detailed the seizures, including cocaine hidden in foodstuff cartons destined for the UK. The businessman was apprehended after NDLEA operatives intercepted his cocaine consignment at the Lagos airport export shed. Investigations into this seizure provided the lead to identifying and arresting the kingpin, who was attempting to send another cocaine shipment.

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His arrest provided the lead to identifying the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

Further interdictions at the Lagos airport resulted in the recovery of 2.2 million pills of Tapentadol, valued at over N2.2 billion, which arrived from India. This followed the seizure of tramadol concealed in black soap containers bound for the UK.

At the Apapa seaport, NDLEA operatives discovered a container holding three vehicles used to conceal 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud. The drugs weighed 2,388.5 kg and are valued at over N7.1 billion. These operations underscore the persistent challenges Nigeria faces in combating international drug trafficking.

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This came on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK.