NDLEA Smashes Six Drug Rings, Arrests Nine Kingpins In Sweeping Nationwide Raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified its nationwide crackdown on narcotics networks, dismantling six major drug syndicates and arresting nine suspected kingpins in a series of coordinated, intelligence-led raids across several states. According to Ireporter Online, the operations yielded significant seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, Loud, skunk, tramadol, codeine syrup and other illicit substances.

A media statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that two members of a drug trafficking ring were apprehended at a logistics hub in Onitsha, Anambra State, on November 18. The suspects were allegedly attempting to receive shipments hidden inside pressure machine cylinders transported from South Africa. The consignment, which arrived in Lagos on November 13 aboard a Tag-Angola flight, contained methamphetamine, Loud, cocaine, phenacetin, methcathinone and caffeine.

Another interception on November 20 at the Lagos Airport uncovered a brake-servo auto part packed with 48 pellets and one block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg, destined for Gabon. The freight agent linked to the shipment was taken into custody, while a follow-up operation at the Trade Fair Complex led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer believed to be connected to the trafficking attempt.

In Kogi, operatives halted a trailer conveying 4,700kg of skunk on November 17, arresting three suspects. Subsequent investigations resulted in the arrest of an alleged ringleader in Jos on November 21. Similarly, a raid on a warehouse in Ugep, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State, on November 19 uncovered 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706kg, leading to the arrest of a couple believed to be managing the stash.

In Edo State, two women running an online business selling drug-infused brownies were detained on November 22 in Benin City, where officers recovered various drug-laced edibles alongside skunk and Colorado. Another suspect was arrested in Ososo Village, Akoko Edo LGA, with 59kg of skunk.

On the Enugu–Onitsha expressway, operatives arrested a 24-year-old suspect with skunk, tramadol, pentazocine and thousands of live ammunition rounds. In Kebbi, officers cleared a warehouse containing 13,155 bottles of codeine syrup, while a separate arrest yielded over 12,000 opioid pills disguised as paracetamol and allegedly bound for a Boko Haram enclave in Borno State.

Additional arrests were recorded along the Abaji–Abuja highway, where two suspects were caught with 430.5kg of drugs. In Niger State, another suspect was detained with more than 85,000 tramadol pills and thousands of bottles of codeine syrup, while a raid in Shiroro LGA uncovered 437 blocks of compressed skunk.

Operations in Lagos also led to major recoveries, including 71kg of Canadian Loud from a Lekki apartment and 2.6kg of Colorado disguised in branded containers. A joint operation involving NDLEA and military personnel successfully cleared the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island, recovering 385kg of assorted narcotics.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) praised officers for their efforts and cautioned that drug syndicates often escalate their activities during the festive season. He urged operatives across the country to remain vigilant, stressing that the agency would not allow criminal networks to exploit the holiday period for illicit gains.