NDLEA Intercepts UK-Bound Drug Shipments, Nab Thai Woman, 4 Others in Nationwide Crackdown
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted multiple drug trafficking attempts, including the arrest of a 24-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Ms Wimonnat was caught trying to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 46.60 kilograms, into Nigeria. He added that, the NDLEA operatives apprehended her on Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers from a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar, at Terminal 2 of the Lagos Airport.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a hired drug courier, revealing that a drug cartel had promised her $3,000 for successfully delivering the consignment.
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In another operation, NDLEA officers foiled a drug syndicate’s attempt to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud, weighing 42.2kg, concealed inside crated cartons to London, UK, via the export shed of Lagos Airport on Friday, February 21, 2025. Three suspects, including a freight agent and two dispatch riders, were initially arrested before the mastermind, Samuel Bitris, was traced and arrested at his residence in Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos.
Also, in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, on Thursday, February 20, NDLEA operatives intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of tramadol (Tamol 225mg) in a 40ft container, during a joint operation with Customs and other security agencies.
Still, on Saturday, February 22, NDLEA arrested Bello Adamu (40) and Pius Azuka (42) at Kokona/Keffi with 517kg of skunk in Nasarawa State. Similarly in Niger State, on Thursday, February 20, officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla carrying 62.7kg of skunk along Sabon Asibiti Road, Kontagora, leading to the arrest of Usman Ruwa (43) and Yunusa Haruna (45).
Meanwhile, NDLEA has intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, organizing sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Schools targeted include Maku Grammar School, Oyo; Comprehensive Secondary School, Orogwe, Imo; Jama’atu Islamiyya Secondary School, Kogi; and Owerri-Aba Primary School, Imo.
Commending the operatives for their efforts, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and demand reduction, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to tackling illicit drug trade in Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
