NDLEA arrests a 74-year-old suspect at Abuja airport with 11kg cocaine hidden in food items, while multiple drug raids across Nigeria uncover opioids and cannabis.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine out of Nigeria through the nation’s capital.
The suspect was intercepted at the departure terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport during routine passenger checks while preparing to travel abroad.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, the arrest took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, when NDLEA officers became suspicious of the passenger’s luggage as he attempted to board a flight operated by British Airways bound for Heathrow Airport.
A detailed inspection of the suspect’s baggage reportedly led to the discovery of approximately 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden among packaged food items.
Officials explained that the cocaine had been carefully concealed to evade detection. The illicit substance was wrapped in foil papers and sealed in balloons before being hidden inside food ingredients, including packets of ground dry pepper.
The unusual packaging method, investigators said, suggested a deliberate attempt to disguise the narcotics as harmless household goods.
The NDLEA noted that the discovery highlights the evolving strategies used by individuals involved in cocaine smuggling and other forms of drug trafficking.
Authorities added that surveillance and enhanced screening procedures at international airports have continued to expose such illegal activities.
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman identified as Maryam Olalowo for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs.
The arrest took place on Monday, March 9, at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street in the Victoria Island area.
During the raid, officers reportedly recovered 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a highly potent strain of cannabis.
Authorities disclosed that the woman was found in the company of her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.
Preliminary questioning reportedly led investigators to another suspect. The woman allegedly told NDLEA officers that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji.
Acting on this information, operatives tracked him down and arrested him later the same day as part of the ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
Further background checks revealed that Olatunji had previously faced prosecution for a similar crime.
Records indicated that he had been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years in prison in 2015 for drug-related offences.
Authorities said the discovery raised concerns about repeat involvement in illicit drug trade.
The agency also reported major breakthroughs in the fight against opioid trafficking on Lagos Island. In one operation at Ebute Ero, two suspects—Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim—were arrested after officers intercepted a truck containing thousands of pills of the opioid tramadol.
NDLEA officials disclosed that a total of 68,000 tablets of tramadol in different strengths, including 250mg and 225mg, were discovered during the operation.
The suspects were allegedly preparing to transport the consignment to Benin City before the drugs were intercepted.
Following the seizure, investigators launched a follow-up raid at Idumota Market, a major commercial hub known for pharmaceutical trading.
During the operation, officers arrested the alleged owner of the intercepted consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian.
A search of his shop reportedly uncovered another package containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol that had already been packaged for delivery through a transport waybill service.
Authorities said the discovery indicated a wider distribution network operating within the market.
In another raid within the same area, NDLEA operatives apprehended a suspect identified as Nwanosike Kelvin.
Investigators recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injections from his shop, further highlighting the scale of illegal pharmaceutical distribution linked to drug trafficking networks.
Beyond Lagos and Abuja, NDLEA operations also extended to other parts of the country, leading to several significant cannabis seizures.
In Kano State, officers arrested a 42-year-old suspect, Magaji Dan Azumi, in the Bebeji area on March 10.
The suspect was allegedly found in possession of 386 kilograms of skunk, a potent variety of cannabis.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives in the Federal Capital Territory recovered 282.2 kilograms of skunk from another suspect, Isah Wako, during an operation conducted in the Gwagwalada area on March 13.
In Edo State, the agency carried out a large-scale raid on illegal cannabis plantations at the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village within Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
During the operation, a suspect identified as Chinedo Odalonu, aged 33, was arrested.
Authorities disclosed that cannabis crops weighing approximately 4,218.96 kilograms were destroyed across two separate farms during the raid.
Additionally, 16.5 kilograms of processed cannabis were recovered from the location as evidence.
In another significant development, NDLEA operatives intercepted a large shipment of codeine-based cough syrup at Apapa Port.
The seizure involved two shipping containers carrying a total of 339,800 bottles of the controlled medication.
The interception was carried out during a joint cargo examination involving NDLEA officers and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service along with other security agencies.
Officials revealed that the containers had been placed under surveillance after intelligence reports suggested the presence of concealed opioids.
Aside from enforcement operations, the NDLEA continues to promote its nationwide anti-drug awareness campaign known as the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
As part of the initiative, the agency organised sensitisation programmes and educational lectures in schools across several states.
Recent awareness activities were conducted in Nasarawa State, Oyo State, Delta State and Cross River State, where students were educated on the dangers of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for their efforts.
He praised operatives in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory for maintaining strong enforcement operations while also expanding public education initiatives.
Marwa emphasised that the agency remains committed to balancing two key objectives: reducing the supply of illicit drugs through arrests and seizures, while also lowering drug demand through awareness campaigns and community engagement.
He added that sustained collaboration among security agencies would remain essential in tackling the growing challenge of drug trafficking across Nigeria.
Ireport247news
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