NDLEA seizes N12.4bn cannabis shipment at Lagos port, arrests suspected traffickers
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 4,959 kilogrammes of ‘Canadian Loud,’ a potent strain of cannabis with an estimated street value of N12.4 billion, at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 4,959 kilogrammes of ‘Canadian Loud,’ a potent strain of cannabis with an estimated street value of N12.4 billion, at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
In a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, on Sunday. the agency explained that the seizure followed more than four weeks of intelligence-led surveillance and was made during a joint examination involving the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, the Nigeria Customs Service, other security agencies and port operatives.
According to the agency, the container had departed Toronto, Canada, on 25 April and was tracked throughout its journey before arriving in Nigeria.
“The large illicit drug consignment which was loaded into a 40ft container comprising a Ford and a Nissan vehicle came under NDLEA tracking and monitoring system since 25th April 2026 when it arrived Toronto, Canada via truck, Montreal via rail on 29th April, Tanger Med Morocco on 11th May, loaded on another vessel on 23rd May before arriving Tincan port Lagos on 4th June and discharged there 5th June before the container eventually left Tincan and arrived Apapa port on Monday 22nd June,” the statement explained.
In a separate operation, the agency arrested a 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Peace, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China.
NDLEA stated that the suspect was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 following credible intelligence.
A search of her luggage allegedly uncovered 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a false compartment at the bottom of her suitcase. Investigators said the drugs were packaged in four parcels professionally hidden to evade detection.
During interrogation, Ms Peace reportedly told investigators that she frequently travelled to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria.
The anti-drug agency also uncovered what it described as a syndicate that plants illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers travelling on commercial buses.
The investigation began after NDLEA operatives in Abuja, working with colleagues in Anambra State, intercepted a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi at Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory on 20 June.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a waybill package containing 467.7 grammes of methamphetamine concealed inside a black nylon bag placed in a sack of clothes bearing the receiver’s phone number.
The agency said a follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of the intended recipient, Gloria Peter, at Utako Motor Park in Abuja. She reportedly denied ownership of, or knowledge about, the package.
Further investigations led operatives to bus loaders in Nnewi, where one of them allegedly confessed to placing the drugs inside the woman’s luggage on the instruction of the driver, Abdurrazak Isah.
The driver later identified one of his passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the owner of the illicit consignment, leading to Mr Okoye’s arrest in Abuja, according to the agency.
In another operation, operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos, with 209.5 kilogrammes of Scottish Loud, another potent strain of cannabis, concealed in a consignment destined for Enugu State.
The agency also arrested two nationals of the Benin Republic, Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19, alongside a Nigerian, Jackson ThankGod, after intercepting their truck on the Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos.
NDLEA stated that the suspects were transporting illicit drugs from Togo through the Benin Republic into Nigeria when the vehicle was stopped for inspection.
A search of the truck allegedly uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a specially fabricated compartment.
Similarly, operatives arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while transporting 118 kilograms of skunk concealed among legitimate goods in a truck travelling from Ebute Ero on Lagos Island to Onitsha, Anambra State.
In another raid in Lagos, the agency arrested Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, at No. 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, where officers recovered 28.8 kilogrammes of skunk.
Investigators said Ms Idiji allegedly stored her drug consignments with Ms Sa’adullah before distributing them to customers.
The latest seizures come days after NDLEA announced what it described as major gains in its nationwide offensive against illicit drug trafficking. During activities marking this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the agency said it had arrested 29,262 suspected drug traffickers, secured 5,225 convictions, and seized more than 5.3 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs with an estimated street value exceeding N1.5 trillion over the past 18 months.
According to the agency, the figures underscore its intensified intelligence-led operations targeting drug trafficking networks operating through airports, seaports, land borders and communities across the country.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued nationwide with sensitisation programmes in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities.
According to the agency, the awareness campaign recently reached Government Girls Science Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe State; Adesalu Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; Government Girls Secondary School, Badawa, Kano State; School of Science and Islamic Studies, Ankpa, Kogi State; and Community Secondary School, Ezimo, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, among others.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Marwa, a retired brigadier general, commended officers of the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, Apapa, FCT, Anambra and Lagos commands for the latest arrests and seizures.
Mr Marwa also praised the officers for sustaining a balance between drug supply reduction operations and public sensitisation through the War Against Drug Abuse campaign, urging them to remain steadfast in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.
