In a major breakthrough, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a staggering haul of illegal drugs worth billions of naira at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos. The seized shipments, which included methamphetamine and “Loud” (a high-grade synthetic cannabis), were cleverly hidden in automobile spare parts imported from Canada. The consignment was believed to be destined for distribution during the festive season.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation was the result of months of meticulous intelligence gathering and coordination across three continents. The agency described the seizure as its largest-ever haul of methamphetamine, weighing 83.301 kilograms. In addition, officers recovered 1,735 parcels of Loud, which weighed a total of 867.5 kilograms. Together, the drugs have a street value estimated at over ₦2.29 billion.
The first breakthrough came on December 12, when NDLEA officers inspected a container bound for the Ladipo auto parts market in Mushin, Lagos. Inside a Toyota Camry, they discovered 5.001 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a bag wrapped with a bedsheet. This led to the arrest of a businessman, Isaac Onwumere, suspected to be involved in the trafficking.
The following day, a second container was searched, revealing even larger quantities of drugs. Officers found 1,735 parcels of Loud packed into 44 jumbo bags, along with six plastic coolers containing 87 packs of methamphetamine, weighing 78.3 kilograms. Two other businessmen, Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, were arrested in connection with this shipment.
This success reflects the NDLEA’s determination to dismantle drug cartels operating in Nigeria. Babafemi noted that the agency is particularly focused on preventing an influx of illicit drugs during the holiday season, when demand for such substances often surges.
With the seizure, the NDLEA has sent a clear message to drug syndicates: the agency is stepping up its fight against drug trafficking, leveraging advanced intelligence and operational expertise to ensure that Nigeria remains inhospitable to criminal networks.
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