NDLEA Busts Cocaine Hidden In Mortar, Backpack Bound For China, Italy

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, intercepting cocaine shipments concealed in a local mortar and a backpack destined for China and Italy, while also arresting several suspects in coordinated operations across multiple states.

According to Ireporter Online, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that NDLEA operatives uncovered the cocaine consignments during routine inspections at a logistics company in Lagos. Investigators recovered 250 grams of cocaine hidden inside the base of a local mortar packaged for export to China, while another 500 grams was discovered concealed in the false compartment of a backpack intended for shipment to Italy.

The anti-narcotics agency also arrested a 38-year-old suspected drug dealer, Ugo Gift Okonkwo, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following intelligence-led operations. Authorities alleged that the suspect was found with cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, Swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.

In Anambra State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck during a stop-and-search exercise in Onitsha, where they recovered 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing about 3,960 kilograms. The driver, identified as Chinedu Nwanze, was taken into custody.

Further operations in Delta State led to the seizure of 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna along the Kwale-Ughelli Expressway, while in Nasarawa State, operatives arrested a 64-year-old suspect after recovering 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.

In Zamfara State, NDLEA personnel intercepted a 27-year-old suspect, Sani Umar, on the Zaria-Gusau Highway with 7,400 tramadol tablets allegedly being transported to suspected criminal groups. Investigations into the intended recipients of the drugs are ongoing.

Beyond enforcement activities, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) awareness campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools and motor parks across Kano, Oyo and Taraba states.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the successful operations and urged commands nationwide to sustain the agency’s combined strategy of aggressive drug enforcement and public education.