NDLEA Arrests Businessman with Ingested Cocaine After 35 Years in Brazil

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for smuggling cocaine concealed in his stomach. Ezeokoli, who had spent 35 years in Brazil operating an African store, was arrested on November 29, 2024, upon arrival from Sao Paulo via an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

A body scan revealed foreign objects in his stomach, prompting officials to place him under excretion observation. Subsequently, Ezeokoli expelled 29 wraps of cocaine weighing 700 grams. In his statement, the suspect disclosed he purchased the drugs in Sao Paulo to sell in Nigeria, intending to use the proceeds to expand his business in Lagos.

NDLEA Intercepts UK-Bound Cocaine and Pentazocine in Lagos

In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two consignments of illicit drugs at a Lagos courier company on November 26, 2024. The shipments, destined for the United Kingdom, included 200 grams of cocaine concealed within local fabrics and 110 grams of pentazocine injections hidden in cartons.

The NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) carried out the bust after receiving intelligence reports about the smuggling attempts. The agency reiterated its commitment to tightening drug trafficking surveillance at courier companies and transport hubs nationwide.

Massive Seizures of Opioids and Cannabis in Kano and Lagos

In Kano, NDLEA operatives made significant seizures on November 28, arresting three suspects in possession of 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3.1 million pills of the opioid exol-5. The suspects, identified as Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27, were caught at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria Road.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, the agency intercepted 2,120 kilograms of “Ghanaian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, at the Ilesan Beach on November 28. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was apprehended alongside four vehicles intended to transport the shipment. The seizure underscored NDLEA’s intensified surveillance of waterways, a key smuggling route for narcotics.

Cannabis Bust in Edo State Yields Arrests and Seizures

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives conducted an intelligence-led raid on November 28, arresting two suspects, Monday Onyenemue, 60, and Evans Omogiede, 42. The operation led to the recovery of 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus used for transportation at Ukuwague Street, Benin City.

The NDLEA emphasized that the raid was part of broader efforts to dismantle drug syndicates operating in the region. The agency reiterated its commitment to reducing drug-related crimes and called for public support in providing actionable intelligence to aid its operations.
This comprehensive crackdown demonstrates the NDLEA’s resolute efforts to combat drug trafficking and safeguard Nigeria’s communities.

NDLEA Intensifies War Against Drug Abuse Through Nationwide Sensitization Programs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ramped up its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, extending its reach to schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the country. Over the past week, the agency conducted sensitization lectures in various locations to educate citizens about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of a drug-free society.

Among the schools targeted were Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Wambai, Kano; Government Day Secondary School, Njoboli-Fulani, Yola, Adamawa State; Girls High School, Mgbowo, Enugu State; and God’s Time College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State. In Cross River State, the WADA campaign extended to traders at the bustling 8 Miles market in Calabar. These lectures emphasized the societal and personal consequences of drug addiction while encouraging proactive community participation in combating this menace.

Marwa Commends NDLEA Commands for Operational Successes

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), applauded the efforts of officers and commands across the country for their dual approach in tackling drug-related issues. While highlighting the operational achievements of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Directorate of General Investigations (DOGI), and the Lagos, Kano, and Edo Commands, he praised their commitment to both drug supply reduction and demand reduction initiatives.

Marwa noted that the balanced strategy adopted by the agency is pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by drug trafficking and abuse. He commended the officers for their relentless dedication, particularly in apprehending offenders and raising awareness through campaigns like WADA. According to him, these successes reflect the agency’s unwavering resolve to protect Nigerian communities from the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.