NDLEA Foils N12.3 Billion Canadian Loud Import at Lagos Port, Uncovers Drug Ring

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a massive consignment of 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis, estimated to be worth N12.397 billion, at Apapa Port in Lagos. This major seizure also led to the dismantling of a criminal network known for secretly placing illegal substances into the luggage of unsuspecting passengers at various motor parks across the country.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives apprehended a businesswoman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with 7.5 kilograms of cocaine. The illicit substance was cleverly hidden within a false bottom of her luggage as she prepared to travel to Beijing, China. These significant arrests and seizures were detailed in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the NDLEA, 38-year-old Iwebema Ogechi Peace was taken into custody at Terminal 2’s departure hall at the Lagos airport on June 21, following actionable intelligence. The statement revealed, “A search of her check-in luggage led to the discovery of four large parcels of cocaine concealed in false bottom professionally created in her bag. The parcels of the Class A drug found hidden in the bag have a combined weight of 7.5 kilograms.”

The agency further disclosed that its operatives had maintained surveillance on the container carrying the Canadian Loud for over four weeks. The interception occurred on June 23 during a collaborative examination with officers from the Nigeria Customs Service and other security outfits at the Apapa Port. “A total of 4,959 kilograms of the illicit drug consignment worth N12,397,500,000 in street value was recovered,” the agency confirmed. This 40-foot container, which also contained a Ford and a Nissan vehicle, had been under observation since April 25, tracing its journey from Toronto, Canada, through Montreal and Morocco, before its arrival in Lagos.

Furthermore, the NDLEA announced the successful disruption of a drug syndicate specializing in planting narcotics in the bags of unsuspecting road travelers. This operation was triggered by the interception of a Sienna bus en route from Nnewi, Anambra State, to Abuja. During the bust, a package containing 467.7 grams of methamphetamine was found concealed in a passenger’s luggage. The intended recipient, Gloria Peter, denied ownership of the drugs, leading investigators to arrest the bus loaders in Nnewi.

The loaders subsequently revealed that one of them had placed the drug package in the woman's bag under the instruction of the bus driver, Abdurrazak Isah. This confession prompted the driver to identify one of his passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the true owner of the illicit substance. Onyebuchi was later apprehended in Utako, FCT, during a follow-up operation.

In related enforcement actions, NDLEA operatives arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos with 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud cannabis, allegedly being transported to Enugu. Additionally, two citizens of the Benin Republic, Hossou Tito Julien (30) and Mancellim Dossou (19), were arrested alongside Nigerian national Jackson ThankGod, after a truck carrying illegal drugs from Togo via the Benin Republic was intercepted. A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg stashed in a specially fabricated compartment.

Similarly, Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo were apprehended along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while attempting to transport 118 kilograms of skunk, hidden among legitimate goods, in a truck headed for Onitsha, Anambra State. In Amukoko, Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Helen Ese Idiji (40) and Rashidat Sa’adullah (53) with 28.8 kilograms of skunk. Investigations revealed that Helen utilized Rashidat’s residence as a storage facility for the illicit drugs before their distribution to customers.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers for their sustained efforts in combating drug trafficking. He praised the commands for maintaining “their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitisation activities,” and urged them “not to rest on their oars.”