In a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Lekki-based businessman, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, for his role in an international drug cartel operating between the United States and Nigeria.
Ebenezer, the owner of Damillionz Takeout, was arrested on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki, as he prepared to receive a fresh consignment of narcotics. His arrest followed the interception of seven massive cartons containing 60 parcels of Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12.
According to NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a search of Ebenezer’s residence uncovered 94 grams of cannabis, a cannabis crusher, and other drug-related paraphernalia, bringing the total drug haul to 32.24 kilograms. Shockingly, Ebenezer admitted to operating his illegal drug trade since 2017, making him a key player in the narcotics distribution network.
International Drug Trafficking Network Unraveled
Investigations revealed that Ebenezer was part of a well-coordinated drug cartel smuggling cannabis from the United States to Nigeria. The syndicate exploited international logistics networks, concealing high-grade marijuana within shipments of legal goods to evade detection.
Sources within the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency disclosed that the suspect had successfully orchestrated multiple shipments before law enforcement caught up with him. His high-end lifestyle, funded by illicit drug proceeds, included luxury vehicles, real estate investments, and a thriving restaurant business that allegedly served as a front for laundering drug money.
Officials suspect that Ebenezer’s arrest may lead to further crackdowns on the cartel, as he is believed to be working with accomplices in both Nigeria and the United States. NDLEA operatives are intensifying their investigations to dismantle the entire network.
NDLEA Expands Operations to Airports and Border Points
In a related operation, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted Omoruyi Terry, an Italy-based businessman, attempting to smuggle 1,400 Tramadol 225mg pills—totaling 800 grams—aboard a Qatar Airways flight to Italy.
Terry, a frequent traveler and known logistics agent, was caught during routine security checks at Terminal 2. Authorities suspect he is linked to a broader smuggling ring responsible for trafficking opioids across Europe and Africa. His arrest marks another victory in NDLEA’s aggressive campaign against drug syndicates exploiting Nigeria’s airports as transit hubs.
NDLEA Raids Edo and Katsina Drug Hotspots
Beyond targeting traffickers in urban centers, NDLEA operatives extended their crackdown to remote areas where illicit drug production and storage thrive. In Edo State, officers uncovered and destroyed 13,198 kilograms of skunk hidden in deep forest locations used by traffickers.
Similarly, in Katsina, an illegal drug repackaging factory was dismantled, disrupting a major supply chain feeding illicit substances into local communities. Authorities also seized 86,000 opioid pills and arrested four individuals suspected of running the operation.
These seizures underscore NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting both the supply and distribution of dangerous drugs, thereby reducing their availability in the Nigerian market.
NDLEA Vows Continued Crackdown on Drug Cartels
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), lauded his officers for their unwavering dedication in the war against drug trafficking. He reiterated the agency’s resolve to make Nigeria a drug-free nation and assured the public that no trafficker would go unpunished.
“We will not rest until our society is safe and drug-free,” Marwa stated. “The NDLEA remains vigilant and ready to dismantle all networks of drug cartels endangering our youth and communities.”
As Nigeria prepares for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, the agency has heightened its surveillance and enforcement efforts, ensuring that traffickers do not exploit the festive period to distribute narcotics. The NDLEA continues to call for public support in reporting suspicious drug-related activities, reinforcing the collective effort needed to curb illicit drug trade in the country.
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