The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled at least six drug syndicates and arrested nine major kingpins in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.

One of the most significant breakthroughs came with the interception of a shipment of illicit substances concealed inside pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed in a statement on Sunday that the consignment arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on November 13 and was subsequently traced to a logistics company in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Two Arrested Over South Africa Shipment

According to the statement, operatives arrested:

• Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu, 30, an electrical appliances dealer
• Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, 51, a South Africa returnee

They were apprehended after appearing to collect the shipment which contained:

• 5.40kg methamphetamine
• 10.70kg Loud (a potent cannabis strain)
• 16g cocaine
• 200g phenacetin
• 200g methcathinone
• 100g caffeine

The drugs were hidden inside pressure cylinders and had arrived in Lagos with airway bill number 118-12882973 aboard a Tag-Angola flight.

More Seizures Across the Country

At MMIA, Lagos:
NDLEA officers intercepted a brake servo device used to conceal 2.3kg of cocaine bound for Gabon.
A follow-up operation at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, led to the arrest of:

• Ameh Solomon, freight agent
• Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, auto-parts dealer

In Kogi State:
Officers seized a massive 4.7 tonnes of skunk from a trailer in Kabba.
Three suspects were arrested initially, followed by the arrest of the alleged kingpin:

• Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu, believed to be the owner of the trailer and the drugs

In Cross River State:
A husband and wife were arrested in Ugep:

• Onun Okoi Okpotum, 55
• Itam Okoi Okpotum, 52

Their warehouse contained 362 jumbo bags of skunk, weighing 4,706kg.

Additional arrests were recorded in Edo, Kebbi, Niger, Lagos, Enugu, and the FCT, including two women who specialised in producing and selling drug-laced brownies online.

NDLEA Chairman Commends Operatives

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), applauded the agency’s officers for their relentless efforts. He urged them to maintain a “balanced approach” to drug control as the festive season approaches, noting that drug cartels typically intensify trafficking at this time of year.