NDLEA Intercepts 44kg UK-Linked Cannabis, Drugs Hidden in Bread, Speakers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted two consignments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or “Colos,” shipped from the United Kingdom, while recovering more than 2.3 tonnes of assorted illicit drugs in coordinated operations across eight states.

The latest operations also uncovered consignments of illicit drugs concealed in music speakers and loaves of bread, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated methods allegedly being used by drug trafficking networks to move controlled substances within and outside Nigeria.

The NDLEA said its operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted a UK-bound consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.

A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested on September 9 after allegedly arriving to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance. According to the agency, Salami used a secret collection code reportedly sent to him by his brother based in the United Kingdom.

A follow-up operation linked to another UK consignment led to the arrest of 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, the designated recipient of another 12.25kg of Colorado. The suspect reportedly told investigators that his brother in the UK sent him the consignment.

The two UK-linked seizures amounted to 44.45kg of synthetic cannabis.

The NDLEA‘s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation also intercepted another consignment of Colorado concealed inside a music speaker at a motor park in Maza-Maza, Lagos.

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The agency said the speaker contained three packs of the illicit substance and was allegedly being transported to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with Liberia as the eventual destination.

A sting operation at a nearby eatery resulted in the arrest of 41-year-old tour agent Ifeanyi Obed Augustine and 46-year-old Obasi Ugochukwu, identified by the agency as the alleged owner of the consignment.

In another operation at Iddo Park, Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry on September 11 while he was allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.

The nationwide crackdown extended beyond cannabis and synthetic drugs to pharmaceutical substances, including pregabalin, tramadol, diazepam, pentazocine, codeine and flunitrazepam.

In Kano State, NDLEA operatives raiding the Sabon Gari area arrested 20-year-old Saidu Adamu with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.

In a separate stop-and-search operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia Road, officers recovered 1,700 tablets of diazepam allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread. A 28-year-old suspect, Habibu Sabitu, was arrested.

In Plateau State, operatives arrested 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor at Katako Market in Jos with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.

In Delta State, separate operations in Ughelli and Asaba resulted in the seizure of pentazocine injections, 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.

The NDLEA also intensified its campaign against cannabis cultivation and distribution.

In Edo State, operatives destroyed 4,832.56kg of skunk, a form of cannabis, during raids on cannabis farms in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest, covering parts of Ovia South-West, Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas.

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A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operation on September 11.

In Ondo State, intelligence-led operatives raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, where they recovered 186kg of skunk allegedly concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car.

The agency arrested 58-year-old Paul Ogbuwala, who was allegedly preparing to move the consignment to Jos for onward distribution.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested Hannah Michael at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.

Another major seizure was recorded in Bayelsa State, where four suspects were arrested at Ovom, Yenagoa, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.

Those arrested were identified as 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, Motombo Silver, 44, Pere Andrew, 39, and Keme Andrew, 43.

The NDLEA said the latest operations were carried out across Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa and Kano states, resulting in the recovery of more than 2.3 tonnes of assorted illicit drugs and the arrest of several suspects.

The interceptions underline the wide range of channels allegedly being exploited by drug trafficking networks, including international consolidated cargoes, motor parks, road transportation and concealed compartments in everyday items.

The use of ordinary products such as bread and music speakers to conceal controlled substances also demonstrates the challenges faced by law enforcement authorities in identifying illicit consignments before they reach their destinations.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain pressure on drug trafficking networks across the country.

Marwa charged the agency’s personnel to continue shutting down trafficking routes through airports, seaports, land borders and cannabis-producing areas in the hinterland.

The NDLEA has also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, combining enforcement operations with public awareness, prevention and community-based sensitisation.

The latest seizures come as the agency continues its efforts to disrupt both domestic and international drug supply chains and prevent controlled substances from reaching Nigerian communities and foreign destinations.

For the suspects arrested in the various operations, the allegations remain subject to investigation and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.

NDLEA Intercepts 44kg UK-Linked Cannabis, Drugs Hidden in Bread, Speakers