NDLEA busts international drug trafficking attempts, destroys 65,000kg of skunk

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine and opioid consignments hidden in cartons and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia, while also carrying out large-scale drug destruction and arrests across multiple states.

According to the agency, the seizures were made on Friday, May 15, 2026, at a courier company in Lagos during routine inspection of outbound parcels. Officers discovered 170 grams of cocaine concealed within the walls of a carton of clothing headed to Australia.

In a separate shipment bound for the UK, NDLEA operatives recovered 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection, all hidden inside another carton.

In Delta State, the agency destroyed 65,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on farms in Ukwuani and Ughelli North Local Government Areas. Two suspects, aged 52 and 30, were arrested during follow-up operations after the destruction of large cannabis plantations.

In Kaduna State, officers intercepted 1,989 rounds of 7.62mm RLA military-grade ammunition concealed in sacks of garri along the Abuja–Kaduna highway. The suspect was handed over to another security agency for further investigation.

In the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), NDLEA operatives arrested a 29-year-old businessman accused of producing drug-infused cakes and cookies for parties. A search of his residence in Life Camp led to the recovery of skunk and edible cannabis products.

Other nationwide operations also yielded major seizures: 181kg of skunk in Ogun State, over 105,000 opioid pills in Taraba State, and 1,388kg of cannabis destroyed in Edo State.

Additional arrests and recoveries were recorded in Oyo, Kano, and other states, including cases involving concealed drugs in food items and motor park interceptions.

The agency said the coordinated operations form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks, destroy illicit drug farms, and curb the spread of narcotics across Nigeria.