NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments Hidden in Frozen Snails, Electrical Bulbs Bound for US, UK, Congo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted several consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothing, destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The agency made the discovery during separate operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, and at a courier company in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of at least two suspects linked to the drug trafficking attempts.
According to a statement on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, one of the suspects, Boladale Riliwan, a cargo agent, was arrested on October 7, 2025, after operatives found 15 parcels of cannabis sativa (skunk) hidden inside 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he intended to ship to the DRC.
Another suspect, 48-year-old Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, a UK-based Public Health Assistant, was apprehended on October 12 at the MMIA departure hall while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom. NDLEA officers discovered 2,300 tramadol 225mg pills concealed within packs of frozen snails in her luggage.
Similarly, on October 16, NDLEA operatives foiled another export attempt at a Lagos courier company, where 810 bromazepam pills were found hidden in female clothes destined for the United States.
Nationwide Operations
In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers intercepted a suspect, Bello Buba, at a checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area, with 38,270 tramadol pills concealed inside the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic. The suspect reportedly drove from Benin Republic in an attempt to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria.
In a series of major raids across the southwest, the agency also destroyed 70,650 kilograms of cannabis (skunk) cultivated on large farmlands in Ekiti and Ondo states.
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Between October 12 and 13, operatives uncovered a 21.3-hectare cannabis farm in Ilawe-Ekiti, destroying 53,250 kilograms of the substance and recovering 70 bags weighing 1,140 kilograms. Three suspects—Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20)—were arrested.
Similarly, on October 12, another 17,400 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on 6.96 hectares were destroyed at the Aponmu Forest Reserve in Akure, Ondo State.
Elsewhere, NDLEA commands made additional arrests and seizures:
Oyo State: Six suspects arrested with 869 kilograms of cannabis in Igboora and Igangan.
Ogun State: Joseph Andrew arrested with 88 kilograms of cannabis at Ona–Imeko, while Festus Udoh (42) was nabbed with 13,000 opioid pills along the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Imo State.
Enugu State: 74.5 kilograms of cannabis were seized from the store of Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo-Agu Village.
Lagos State: 11 bags of cannabis weighing 117 kilograms recovered from the base of Ramoni Olukowi in Mushin.
In addition, NDLEA officers, working jointly with the Nigeria Customs Service, intercepted 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container from India during a joint inspection at the Apapa Port on October 14.
WADA Sensitization Continues Nationwide
Meanwhile, NDLEA formations nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy in schools, religious centres, and communities.
The sensitization activities covered schools such as Commercial Grammar School, Igogo (Ekiti); Government Technical College, Ahoada (Rivers); Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Babura (Jigawa); and St. Peter’s College, Abeokuta (Ogun State), among others.
Marwa Commends Officers
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended officers across all involved commands for their vigilance and professionalism. He urged them to sustain the agency’s “balanced approach” to drug control—combining enforcement with prevention through continuous advocacy.
“Our collective goal is to ensure that illicit drugs have no place in our country. Officers must remain steadfast and proactive in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa said.
By PRNigeria
