NDLEA intercepts drug consignments bound for US, Canada, Sweden

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in black soap containers and designer clothing, destined for the United States, Canada, and Sweden.

According to the agency, no fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline, and bromazepam were seized at two major courier companies in Lagos between December 9 and 10, 2025. The drugs were ingeniously hidden inside containers of local black soap and clothing items.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives uncovered a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village in Umuakpara, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

The raid, carried out on December 11, led to the recovery of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing over 1,152 kilograms.

The agency also recorded a significant seizure at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, where officers intercepted a container loaded with 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579 kilograms during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

Across other states, NDLEA commands arrested several suspects with large quantities of skunk and tramadol, including 50,000 tramadol pills seized at the Seme border in Lagos and 40,000 tramadol capsules recovered in Gombe State.

Meanwhile, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign nationwide, reaching schools, traditional institutions, and communities in Katsina, Kano, Benue, and Enugu states.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), praised the dedication of officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking while intensifying drug abuse prevention efforts across the country.