NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Syndicates

Nigeria’s drug trafficking cartels are becoming increasingly inventive, but the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is staying ahead of their evolving methods after dismantling six major syndicates and arresting nine suspected kingpins in coordinated Nationwide operations.

Recent raids show traffickers are now turning to advanced concealment tools, family-run warehouses and youth-driven distribution channels to move narcotics across multiple States.

High-Tech Concealment: Pressure Cylinders, Auto Parts Used
In Onitsha, Anambra State, NDLEA operatives intercepted drugs hidden inside industrial pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa, a sophisticated smuggling technique that investigators say is becoming more common.

Two suspects, Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu (30) and Christopher Michael Ndibuisi (51), were arrested while retrieving the consignment containing 5.40kg of methamphetamine, 10.70kg of cannabis, and other substances.

At Lagos airport, Officers also seized 2.30kg of cocaine concealed inside auto parts, leading to the arrest of freight agent Ameh Solomon and car parts dealer Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface.

Nationwide Sweep Breaks Domestic Supply Chains
NDLEA’s operations further exposed major internal distribution networks:

Kogi State (Nov 17):
Officers intercepted 4,700kg of skunk and arrested three suspects.

Plateau State:
A follow-up raid led to the arrest of the suspected mastermind, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.

Cross River (Nov 19):
A couple – Onun Okoi Okpotum (55) and Itam Okoi Okpotum (52), were arrested with 4,706kg of cannabis stored in a warehouse.

Young Women Caught in Expanding Drug Market
In Edo State, NDLEA arrested 19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Emem Oghosa for producing and selling drug-laced brownies, a trend gaining popularity among young people.

Another suspect, Shedrack Aminu, was caught with 59kg of skunk in Akoko Edo.

Drugs and Ammunition Seized in Other States
In Enugu, operatives arrested Chinoso Emmanuel Monday with drugs and ammunition.

In Kebbi, Umar Adamu was caught with more than 12,500 opioid pills.

NDLEA Warns of Festive-Season Trafficking Surge
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), praised the operatives and warned that drug cartels often intensify activities toward the festive season.

“The coming festive season is often exploited by criminal elements. We have launched a relentless offensive to ensure these cartels have no space to operate.”

WADA Campaign Strengthened
Beyond , the NDLEA is scaling up its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns in schools and communities to reduce demand as supply chains are disrupted.