Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 7.5 kilograms of cocaine to China through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The suspect was apprehended on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the airport while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, following intelligence received by the agency.
A search of her luggage revealed four large parcels of cocaine hidden in a professionally designed false compartment of the bag. The suspect reportedly claimed she travelled regularly to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria.
In another major operation, the NDLEA recovered 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from a 40-foot container at the Apapa Port in Lagos. The seized consignment, valued at N12.3 billion, was intercepted during a joint inspection involving NDLEA officials, the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders.
The agency said the container, which contained Ford and Nissan vehicles, had been under surveillance after arriving from Toronto, Canada, before being shipped through several locations and eventually reaching Lagos.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Abuja and Anambra uncovered a syndicate allegedly involved in planting illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers at motor parks.
The operation followed the interception of a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi, Anambra State, at Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory, where a package containing 467.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine was recovered.
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of the intended receiver of the package, Gloria Peter, at Utako motor park. She denied knowledge of the drugs, prompting further investigations that exposed the alleged involvement of bus loaders and the driver.
The agency also arrested a 57-year-old man, Ikechukwu Uwakwe, at Iddo motor park in Lagos with 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud reportedly being transported to Enugu.
In another operation, two Benin Republic nationals — Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19 — alongside Nigerian Jackson ThankGod, were arrested after NDLEA operatives intercepted their truck at Mile 2 Bridge, Lagos. A search of the vehicle uncovered 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed in a hidden compartment.
NDLEA operatives also arrested two suspects, Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while allegedly transporting 118 kilograms of cannabis hidden among legitimate goods in a truck heading to Onitsha, Anambra State.
In Lagos, Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, were arrested at Amukoko with 28.8 kilograms of cannabis recovered from them. Investigations showed that Idiji allegedly stored illicit drugs with Sa’adullah before distributing them to customers.
The agency said its commands nationwide also continued sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign in schools, communities, workplaces and religious centres.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved in the operations, urging them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing drug supply while expanding public awareness campaigns.