NDLEA busts prison-led cocaine export plot, uncovers ‘Colos’ factory in Lekki

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has foiled multiple drug trafficking operations across Nigeria, including a prison-coordinated cocaine export attempt and the discovery of a synthetic cannabis production site in Lagos.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, officers intercepted 1.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden in processed cassava flakes (garri) bound for London. Investigations linked the shipment to convicted drug trafficker Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, who is serving a jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre but allegedly coordinated the export through his logistics company. A staff member who presented the cargo was arrested.

In another operation, NDLEA officers in Abuja discovered 59.2 grams of “Canadian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, concealed inside a children’s toy guitar, leading to the arrest of the consignment owner.

Meanwhile, a raid on a duplex in Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, uncovered a factory producing “Colos,” a synthetic cannabis variant. Officers seized 13.2 kilograms of the substance along with precursor chemicals and arrested suspects linked to the operation.

Additional raids nationwide led to the seizure of over 105,000 tramadol pills in Kwara, 563.5 kilograms of skunk in Edo forests, and the arrest of several suspects in Oyo State with methamphetamine, cannabis, cash, and vehicles.

NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa commended officers for the successes and urged sustained efforts to reduce drug supply and abuse across the country.