The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered several methods used to hide illegal drugs during separate operations in different parts of Nigeria, leading to multiple arrests, major drug seizures and the dismantling of an alleged trafficking syndicate linked to an international shipment.
Drug traffickers usually hide illegal substances inside everyday items or vehicle parts to avoid detection by security agencies. The latest NDLEA operations show that smugglers are still using such methods in attempts to move drugs within Nigeria and to other countries.
One of the biggest discoveries was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where operatives found cocaine packed inside fake plantain peels placed among food items in a passenger’s luggage. The suspect, a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman travelling to London, was arrested before boarding her flight.
The agency also traced another international drug shipment intended for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Investigators followed evidence from earlier arrests in Lagos before tracking down a suspect identified as the alleged head of the trafficking group in Anambra State. The operation followed the seizure of cocaine hidden inside cartons of Orijin Bitters prepared for export.
NDLEA said the airport operation on 28 June led to the arrest of the 67-year-old caregiver at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
A search of her luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine disguised as hands of plantain. The drugs weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
The agency said the suspect admitted ownership of the cocaine during interrogation.
In another operation, investigators dismantled an alleged drug trafficking syndicate linked to a shipment bound for Kuala Lumpur.
The investigation started after operatives intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters prepared for export.
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Earlier arrests in Lagos led investigators to cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who was accused of supplying the cartons used to conceal the drugs.
NDLEA said intelligence obtained during the investigation led operatives to 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia. He was arrested while hiding in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State. The agency identified him as the alleged leader of the trafficking group.
In Taraba State, operatives intercepted Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area on 4 July.
A search of his vehicle uncovered 43,980 capsules of tramadol hidden inside two fuel tanks. NDLEA said the arrest followed intelligence received by its officers.
In Kaduna State, officers arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on July 2. They recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Another operation in Ebonyi State led to the arrest of Francis Ifara Eja, 65, in Ikwo on July 4 with 231.7 kilograms of skunk.
In Plateau State, officers arrested 75-year-old Alhaji Babani in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area on 3 July after recovering 15 kilograms of skunk.
In Gombe State, intelligence led officers to Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, in Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, on July 1. NDLEA said the pair were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign through awareness programmes in schools, workplaces, places of worship and communities. Lectures were held at Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Government Technical College, Obe, Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, among other schools.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi and Gombe commands for the operations. He urged personnel to sustain efforts aimed at reducing the supply of illegal drugs while continuing public education on drug abuse.