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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered increasingly sophisticated methods allegedly being used by drug traffickers.
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NDLEA operatives seized 32.20kg and 12.25kg of Colorado, popularly known as Colos, from two UK-linked consignments at Lagos, arresting alleged recipients who investigators said were connected to the shipments.
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The agency also intercepted large quantities of controlled substances across Kano, Delta and Plateau, including 785,000 Pregabalin capsules weighing 669.425kg and 1,700 Diazepam tablets concealed inside loaves of bread.
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The nationwide crackdown extended to cannabis farms in Edo and drug warehouses and transit routes in other states, with more than 4.8 tonnes of skunk destroyed and several suspects arrested in operations aimed at crippling trafficking networks.
September 13, (THEWILL) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered what it described as increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by drug trafficking networks to move illicit substances, intercepting consignments of synthetic cannabis from the United Kingdom and recovering opioids and other controlled drugs concealed in music speakers and loaves of bread.
The operations, which took place across several states, resulted in the seizure of hundreds of kilogrammes of cannabis and pharmaceutical opioids, hundreds of thousands of capsules and tablets, as well as the arrest of several suspects.
In a statement signed on Sunday by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said its operatives intercepted a UK-inbound consolidated cargo containing 27 parcels of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or Colos, weighing 32.20kg at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos,
The agency said a real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after he allegedly arrived to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance.
According to the NDLEA, Salami came with a secret collection code reportedly relayed to him by his brother based in the United Kingdom.
A follow-up operation linked to a second UK consignment subsequently led operatives to its designated recipient, Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, who was arrested with another 12.25kg of Colorado.
Kadiri, the agency said, told investigators that the consignment had been sent to him by his brother in the UK.
Colorado Hidden In Music Speakers
The NDLEA said its Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) also intercepted a music speaker rigged with three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza Maza, Lagos.
The consignment was allegedly being transported to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and ultimately Liberia.
Following a swift sting operation at a nearby eatery, operatives arrested a tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, 41, and the alleged owner of the consignment, Obasi Ugochuckwu, 46.
In a separate operation at Iddo Motor Park, Lagos, a suspect, Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry, was arrested on Friday, September 11, while allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
785,000 Pregabalin Capsules Seized
In Kano State, NDLEA operatives recorded another major breakthrough after raiding a location in Sabon Gari and arresting 20-year-old Saidu Adamu with 785,000 capsules of Pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.
The agency said the huge haul was among the major seizures recorded during the latest nationwide operations targeting the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical drugs with abuse potential.
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Also in Kano, a stop-and-search operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia road led to the seizure of 1,700 tablets of Diazepam allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread. A 28-year-old suspect, Habibu Sabitu, was arrested with the consignment.
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives arrested 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor at Katako Market, Jos, with 157,100 capsules of Tramadol.
Delta Operations Yield Opioids, Molly
In Delta State, separate operations at Ughelli and Asaba led to the seizure of several controlled substances, including ampoules of Pentazocine injection, Codeine syrup, Tramadol, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam, also known as Hypnox, and MDMA, popularly known as Molly.
The agency said some of the substances were concealed inside music speakers. Two suspects, Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi, were arrested in connection with the seizures.
4.8 Tonnes Of Cannabis Destroyed In Edo
The agency also intensified its assault on illicit cannabis cultivation, destroying 4,832.56kg of skunk from cannabis farms in Edo State.
The destruction operations were carried out at Usen Forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area, Igwe-Oke Forest in Owan East and Ogboha Forest in Owan West. A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operation on Friday, September 11.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, on Wednesday, September 9.
The operation led to the recovery of 186kg of skunk allegedly concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ABJ 917 FV. A 58-year-old suspect, Paul Ogbuwala, was arrested in connection with the consignment, which the agency said he was planning to move to Jos for onward distribution.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested a female suspect, Hannah Michael, at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
Similarly, four suspects were arrested at Ovom, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg. Those arrested were 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, Motombo Silver, 44, Pere Andrew, 39, and Keme Andrew, 43.
WADA Campaign Continues Nationwide
While intensifying enforcement, the NDLEA said its commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
Activities during the week included a WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Mezube Islamiyya Academy, Tudun Wada, Kano, and an advocacy visit to the management of Cross River State College of Health Technology, Calabar.
The NDLEA Academy in Jos also hosted traditional rulers from Rikkos, who paid a thank-you visit to the academy over the agency’s decision to allow members of the community access to its clinic.
Similarly, the agency’s Zone 4 Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Marwa Orders Officers To Shut Drug Pipelines
Commending the officers and men of the DOGI, MMIA, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa and Kano Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
Marwa charged the officers to continue shutting down every pipeline being used by drug cartels to move illicit substances into and across Nigeria.
He said the effort must cover airports, seaports, land borders and hinterland locations where cannabis is cultivated.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
