NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioid Shipments Concealed in Prayer Beads, Clothing

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted multiple attempts by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to smuggle illicit substances—including cocaine, tramadol, and cannabis—hidden in prayer beads, clothing, and other unconventional packaging. The illegal shipments were bound for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates before NDLEA operatives intercepted them at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and various logistics firms.

Two key suspects linked to these smuggling operations have been apprehended. Among them is Jakpor Egware May, a 43-year-old businesswoman, who was arrested at the airport’s Gate ‘C’ departure hall while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, March 8, 2025. A thorough search of her luggage led to the discovery of 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and a parcel of skunk (a potent cannabis strain). In her statement, May admitted to purchasing the drugs herself, intending to resell them in Italy.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives arrested a second suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, a 60-year-old man, at the Lagos airport’s export shed on Tuesday, March 11. Ayinla was caught trying to ship a cargo of clothing concealing 400 grams of skunk to New York, United States. Further investigations revealed more attempts by traffickers to smuggle over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, and tramadol hidden in vitamin C bottles and female clothing to the U.S.

Cocaine and Opioid Shipments Disguised as Religious and Household Items

The ingenuity of traffickers was evident in the concealment of hard drugs within everyday items. NDLEA operatives intercepted 230 grams of cocaine hidden inside prayer beads, locally made shoe soles, and board game packs. These shipments were intended for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE but were intercepted between March 10 and March 12.

The Lagos-based drug syndicates also attempted to use logistics companies to transport illicit substances, but their plans were foiled. The Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered large quantities of Loud, Molly, and tramadol hidden in unsuspecting items meant for international destinations. The agency has since intensified surveillance around courier services and international airports to counter evolving smuggling techniques.

NDLEA’s swift actions underscore the growing use of unconventional methods by traffickers, who are increasingly leveraging religious artifacts and household goods to evade detection. However, the agency remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks.

Multi-State Raids Lead to Major Drug Seizures and Arrests

Beyond international smuggling attempts, NDLEA operatives launched coordinated raids across several states, leading to significant seizures of illicit substances and multiple arrests. In Kano State, operatives recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479 kilograms from Hassan Haruna, 40, who was arrested in the Chalawa area on March 12.

Further south, along the Kabba-Obajana highway in Kogi State, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja on March 11. The vehicle was carrying 58,300 tramadol pills concealed in luggage. In Kaduna, separate raids in Kachia and Hayin Banki areas on March 13 and 14 resulted in the arrests of Idris Hamza, 21, and Aminu Magaji, 25, from whom 4,900 and 2,900 tramadol tablets (225mg) were confiscated, respectively.

Meanwhile, in Kwara State, NDLEA seized a combined 61,900 tramadol tablets from three suspects in two separate operations along Ilorin-Jebba and Eiyenkorin expressways on March 13 and 14. These crackdowns highlight the agency’s persistent fight against domestic drug distribution networks.

NDLEA Busts Drug Networks in Taraba, Osun, and FCT

In Taraba, operatives arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, in Kurmi LGA with 15.77 kilograms of skunk on March 14. The same day, NDLEA intercepted a commercial bus near King University, Ode-Omu, Osun State, seizing 48.7 kilograms of cannabis strains known as Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud. Following this interception, follow-up operations in Osogbo and Ile-Ife led to the arrests of nine suspects linked to the illicit trade.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a suspect identified as Ade Esan, also known as “Pastor,” was apprehended along Gwagwalada expressway on March 11 with 27,800 tramadol pills. On the same day, another suspect, Usman Mohammed, 26, was arrested in Wuse Zone 3 with various quantities of skunk and cocaine.

Meanwhile, in Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided the Ntigha community in Isiala-Ngwa North LGA on March 15. They arrested Chinaza Nwogu, also known as “Young Money,” recovering 274 grams of heroin, 141 grams of methamphetamine, 2.93 kilograms of cannabis sativa, and four grams of cocaine. Authorities also seized a monetary exhibit totaling ₦753,015 from him.

NDLEA Intensifies Drug Awareness and Prevention Campaigns

In addition to enforcement operations, NDLEA has ramped up its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting sensitization campaigns across schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities.

Recent outreach efforts included awareness lectures at U.P.E School in Ilara Epe, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School in Jigalambu, Adamawa State; Agbegi High Grammar School in Kogi State; Capital City Secondary School in Awka, Anambra State; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School in Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Commending the efforts of NDLEA officers across multiple state commands, the agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded their commitment to curbing drug trafficking and reducing both supply and demand. He reaffirmed NDLEA’s dedication to tackling the growing drug crisis through both enforcement and preventive education.

As NDLEA continues to make significant strides against drug syndicates, its recent successes reinforce the agency’s role in safeguarding Nigeria from the threats of drug abuse and trafficking.