NDLEA Arrests Canadian Woman at Lagos Airport with 35kg of Synthetic Cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended a 41-year-old Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of synthetic cannabis into Nigeria. Munju, who arrived on a KLM airline flight from Canada, was arrested during the inward clearance process on Thursday, 3rd October 2024.

According to NDLEA officials, a thorough search of her luggage revealed 74 parcels of a potent strain of synthetic cannabis known as ‘Canadian Loud,’ concealed in two of her three bags. The total weight of the intercepted drugs was 35.20 kilograms. This marked Munju’s first visit to Nigeria, and she was immediately detained following the discovery of the illicit substances.

Munju’s Confession and Motive for Drug Trafficking

During her interrogation, Munju revealed that she had been recruited online to traffic the drugs into Nigeria. She stated that she was promised a payment of 10,000 Canadian dollars upon successful delivery of the cannabis in Lagos. According to her statement, the financial pressure of paying for her ongoing master’s degree in Canada motivated her decision to accept the offer.

The NDLEA has expressed concern over the growing trend of young individuals being lured into drug trafficking through online platforms. Munju’s case highlights the need for increased international cooperation and vigilance at entry points like airports to prevent the inflow of illicit drugs into the country. The agency reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and ensuring that offenders face the full extent of the law.

NDLEA Intercepts Massive Opioid Shipment at Port Harcourt Ports

In a major drug bust, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Port Harcourt Ports, Onne, Rivers State, intercepted a shipment of opioids worth over ₦9 billion. The consignment, which arrived from India, contained a staggering 13.29 million pills of various opioids, including Tramadol, Tramaking Quick Action Tramadol, Tamol-X, Royal Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol. Additionally, 338,253 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were seized during a joint examination of the cargo by NDLEA officers, Nigerian Customs personnel, and other stakeholders.

This operation, conducted on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024, highlights the increasing efforts of the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking across Nigerian ports. The agency’s diligence in targeting containers from high-risk countries has led to a significant disruption in the opioid supply chain. This seizure not only saved millions of lives but also prevented these dangerous substances from flooding the streets.

NDLEA Makes Further Seizures in Lagos and Taraba

The NDLEA also recorded significant successes in other parts of the country. On October 3rd, operatives at Tincan Seaport in Lagos intercepted 100 parcels of Canadian Loud, a high-potency strain of cannabis, weighing 50kg. The consignment was cleverly concealed in a container with four imported vehicles, but intelligence led the agency to trace it to a warehouse in Ikorodu, Lagos. A Toyota Sienna bus was found containing the illicit drugs, and a suspect, Abubakar Shuaibu Ibrahim, has been taken into custody.

In a separate operation in Taraba, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial bus from Onitsha carrying large quantities of opioids, including tramadol, rohypnol, and codeine-based syrup. The drugs were hidden in secret compartments within the vehicle. Two suspects, Pako Thomas and Emmanuel Anyigor, were arrested in connection with the haul, while another suspect, Chibuzor Okafor, was apprehended with 38kg of cannabis concealed in garri bags.

NDLEA’s Nationwide Efforts in Combating Drug Abuse

In addition to these major seizures, the NDLEA has been intensifying its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across Nigeria. In Lagos, a woman, Bolanle Ajenifuja, was arrested with 700 liters of “skuchies,” a cocktail of local drinks mixed with illicit drugs. Furthermore, three individuals were apprehended in connection with the cultivation of over three hectares of cannabis farms in Edo and Ondo states, where nearly 10,000kg of the substance was destroyed.

The NDLEA’s sensitization efforts have also expanded, with the agency conducting enlightenment programs at various schools and communities nationwide. Schools in Katsina, Ebonyi, Osun, and Akwa Ibom were among those that benefited from drug awareness lectures, underscoring the agency’s commitment to both drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers for their commitment to the fight against drug trafficking, emphasizing that these successes demonstrate the agency’s balanced approach to addressing Nigeria’s drug crisis. The NDLEA continues to play a critical role in safeguarding public health and security through its unrelenting efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking in the country