The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two international cocaine consignments and arrested multiple suspects in coordinated operations across Nigeria, including a 45-year-old PhD student and a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman.
The agency said the seizures and arrests are part of intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb the export of illicit substances from
NDLEA operatives arrested Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, in a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the agency, the arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms. The drugs were allegedly concealed within the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters, packaged as part of a consolidated cargo destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
NDLEA stated that investigations first led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos who were linked to the shipment. They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to hide the cocaine.
Further investigation traced the operation back to Anambra State. Operatives tracked Onyeka to his village in Aziora, Ozubulu, where he was arrested. The agency identified him as the alleged mastermind and leader of the syndicate behind the export attempt.
The use of a popular herbal bitters brand to conceal drugs highlights a growing trend of traffickers exploiting legitimate consumer products to evade detection at ports and airports.
In a separate operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, a 67-year-old Nigerian-British citizen.
The suspect was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
During a search of her luggage, operatives discovered 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 13 kilograms. The drugs were carefully packaged to resemble bunches of plantains and hidden among food items.
NDLEA said Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, admitted ownership of the drugs during interrogation.
The agency noted that using food items as concealment is a common tactic by traffickers targeting elderly couriers, who are often assumed to be less suspicious by security agents.
The NDLEA also reported significant arrests and drug recoveries in other states over the past week, indicating the wide spread of drug trafficking and abuse.
Taraba State: On July 4, operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari LGA. The agency said 43,980 capsules of Tramadol were recovered, hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks.
Kaduna State: In Gwantu LGA, two suspects, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested during a raid. Officers allegedly recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine from the location.
Gombe State: NDLEA operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba LGA. The agency said they recovered 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
The variety of drugs and the ages of some suspects point to how deeply drug trafficking has penetrated different demographics and regions. From prescription drugs like Tramadol to methamphetamine and large quantities of cannabis, the seizures reflect both local consumption and international export attempts.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA said its commands nationwide have sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. The initiative focuses on prevention through education and community engagement.
- Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra State
- Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu State
- Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State
- Federal College of Education Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano State
The agency said the goal is to educate students, teachers and community members on the dangers of drug abuse, early warning signs, and how to seek help. With Nigeria’s youth population increasingly targeted by traffickers, WADA has become a key part of NDLEA’s dual strategy of enforcement and prevention.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe commands for their efforts.He urged them to maintain pressure on trafficking networks and to ensure that arrests lead to thorough investigations and prosecutions.
The recent operations show traffickers are becoming more creative in concealment methods, from drink cartons to fake food items. At the same time, NDLEA’s nationwide dragnet and intelligence-driven operations are yielding results.
The arrest of an educated suspect like a PhD student and an elderly woman also underscores that drug syndicates recruit across age groups and backgrounds. Authorities say this makes vigilance at airports, cargo terminals, and within communities even more critical.
As investigations continue, NDLEA says it will work with international partners to track the destination networks in Malaysia and the UK linked to the intercepted consignments
