NDLEA Seizes Cocaine And Opioid Shipments Hidden Within Carton Walls

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted multiple consignments of cocaine and various opioids cleverly concealed within the inner walls of cartons used to package clothing and other exported items destined for the United Kingdom and Australia.

According to Ireporter Online, the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the seizures were carried out on Friday, May 15, 2026, during routine inspection of outbound shipments at a courier facility in Lagos. In one of the interceptions, officers discovered 170 grams of cocaine hidden inside the lining of a carton containing clothing bound for Australia. In a separate parcel destined for the United Kingdom, operatives also uncovered a cache of pharmaceuticals including 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection, all concealed within packaged goods.

In Delta State, large-scale cannabis farms were dismantled in coordinated raids across Ukwuani and Ughelli North local government areas, where a combined total of 65,000 kilograms of skunk were destroyed. Two suspects were arrested in follow-up operations linked to the illicit cultivation sites.

In Kaduna State, operatives intercepted a suspect along the Abuja–Kaduna highway transporting 1,989 rounds of 7.62mm RLA military-grade ammunition hidden inside sacks of garri. The suspect and exhibits were subsequently transferred to another security agency for further investigation. Additional operations in the state also led to the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of over 361 kilograms of skunk.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a 29-year-old businessman was arrested for allegedly producing drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social gatherings. A search of his residence in the Life Camp area led to the recovery of cannabis and several kilograms of drug-infused baked products.

Further nationwide operations recorded additional seizures, including 181 kilograms of skunk in Ogun State, over 105,000 opioid tablets in Taraba State, the destruction of 1,388 kilograms of cannabis in Edo State, and multiple arrests across Kano and Oyo States involving concealed narcotics and psychoactive substances.

Overall, the agency said the coordinated operations underscore ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, curb illicit drug cultivation, and prevent the export and distribution of narcotics concealed in legitimate commercial consignments.