British Men Caught in Billion-Naira Drug Sting! NDLEA Uncovers Major Smuggling Attempt in Lagos, Rivers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a massive shipment of illicit substances—over six million opioid pills and 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup—at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, and the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made following intelligence-led operations targeting new smuggling routes exploited by drug cartels. As a result, specific containers were flagged for detailed inspection.

At the Port Harcourt Ports, two containers were subjected to a joint examination by the NDLEA, Nigerian Customs, and other security agencies on Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20, 2025. These inspections uncovered six million opioid tablets (including Tamol 225mg, Tapentadol 225mg, and Carisoprodol 225mg) and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup.

In a related operation at the Apapa Port on Thursday, May 22, NDLEA operatives uncovered another 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup in a watch-listed container during a similar collaborative screening.

Meanwhile, the agency also announced the arrest of two British nationals—Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon—and two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, for attempting to smuggle 92 bags of Loud (a strong strain of cannabis) weighing 51.10kg into Nigeria via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Tatendra, who arrived from Doha via Qatar Airways on Thursday, May 15, was under surveillance based on prior intelligence. Though cleared at the airport, he was trailed to the car park, where he met with Adejuwon (a UK-Nigerian dual citizen), Shonowo, and their driver, Ofuoma, who were waiting in an SUV to collect the drugs. NDLEA operatives then moved in and arrested all suspects with the contraband.

During interrogation, Alexander admitted to being recruited weeks earlier while on vacation and promised £1,300 for a successful delivery. The alleged ring leader, Adejuwon, reportedly arrived in Nigeria a day earlier from South Africa via Ghana.

A follow-up raid at their apartment in Lekki yielded further seizures, including ₦93,000, 17,200 South African Rand, and ₦3.81 million in cash. Also recovered were an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide).