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NDLEA uncovers Opioid shipments concealed in cream, jackets at Lagos airport

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives intercepted large consignments of opioids, cannabis, and methamphetamine. at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja and a courier firm in Lagos.

The drugs were concealed in body cream containers, winter jackets, and even carton walls.

According to a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, two suspects bound for Italy were arrested in separate operations.

One of the suspects, Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted while trying to board a flight to Rome with thousands of tramadol pills hidden inside containers of skin-lightening cream.

In his statement, he admitted he was promised payment in euros if the drugs made it to Italy, a detail that highlights the international reach and financial incentives behind these trafficking networks.

Days earlier, another suspect, Christian Agbonhese, was caught attempting to board a flight to Milan.

A search of his luggage revealed a staggering haul: over 28,000 pills of tramadol and tapentadol, carefully concealed in winter jackets.

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The airport interceptions were part of a wider crackdown. At a Lagos courier facility, NDLEA officers uncovered a parcel containing a potent strain of cannabis, known as “Loud,” shipped from the United States.

In the same operation, they foiled an attempt to export methamphetamine hidden within carton walls to New Zealand.

In Kano, two suspects were arrested with nearly 200 kilograms of skunk. In Lagos, operatives raided a storage facility in the Ijora area, recovering over 21,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup, an increasingly abused substance.

Two additional suspects were arrested on the Third Mainland Bridge while transporting thousands more bottles.

In Edo State, officers discovered nearly 100 kilograms of skunk hidden in a residential building, while in Abuja, a commercial bus was intercepted along the Gwagwalada expressway with over 91,000 tramadol pills concealed within its body panels. The driver was immediately taken into custody.

The pattern continued in Oyo, Kaduna, and Taraba states, where arrests and seizures revealed the scale of the trade.

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In one of the largest busts, NDLEA operatives recovered more than half a million pills of tramadol and other opioids along the Kaduna-Zaria highway. Another suspect was intercepted in Taraba while transporting tens of thousands of tramadol capsules.

In Adamawa, a coordinated follow-up operation led to the arrest of six individuals linked to an 82.8kg tramadol shipment discovered in a truck in Yola, underscoring the agency’s intelligence-driven approach.

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA is also intensifying its prevention efforts. Through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the agency has been engaging students, teachers, and community members across several states, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations and urged continued vigilance.

He emphasised the need for a balanced strategy that combines aggressive enforcement with sustained public education.

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Nigerian arrested over alleged sex crimes in US, faces deportation

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A 53-year-old Nigerian, Olatunde Olusanjo, has been arrested in Los Angeles by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged sexual offences.

According to ICE, Olusanjo was arrested on April 21, 2026, by its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit and is currently in its custody pending deportation proceedings.

In a social media post by its Los Angeles office, the agency linked his arrest to prior criminal allegations, including child molestation, sexual battery and sexual solicitation.

It described Olusanjo as a “criminal alien and convicted sex offender”.

“Los Angeles ERO arrested Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, 53, of Nigeria, Apr. 21,” the statement reads.

“Olusanjo has previous arrests for child molestation, sexual battery and soliciting lewd conduct. He is in ICE custody pending removal.”

The arrest comes amid continued enforcement actions by US  authorities against foreign nationals with prior criminal records.

In recent years, several Nigerians have been arrested and prosecuted in the US for offences ranging from cybercrime to violent and sexual-related charges.

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In February, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it had arrested 79 Nigerians described as among the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders.

The suspects faced allegations ranging from sexual assault, fraud, manslaughter, cocaine smuggling, kidnapping, and robbery.

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Thai Police find N67m, cocaine in Nigerian suspect’s home

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Operatives of the Thailand Police have arrested Nigerian national, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi, following the discovery of approximately 1.5 million baht (over N67 million) hidden in the ceiling of his bathroom during a late-night raid.

The operation, carried out over the weekend, also led to the arrest of three other individuals believed to be connected to the same drug distribution network.

Authorities reportedly recovered cocaine, cash, a vehicle, and valuable jewellery during the raid.

According to details from Khaosod English, investigators had been monitoring the suspect’s activities before apprehending him near Silom Soi 1. At the point of arrest, officers allegedly found about 27 grams of cocaine in his possession.

The other suspects taken into custody include a Swiss national, Thomas Giubibini, alongside two Thai nationals identified as Thanayot Asawamethi and Nattawat Wangkitjinda. All are facing charges related to drug possession.

In total, authorities said they seized roughly 30 grams of cocaine, cash amounting to 1.5 million baht, additional foreign currency worth about 15,000 baht, and jewellery estimated at 400,000 baht.

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Investigators disclosed that Ifeanyi had lived in Thailand for over 17 years under a family visa obtained through a Thai spouse. However, officials now suspect the marriage may have been arranged to facilitate his stay and operations.

Police further alleged that the suspect coordinated drug transactions through encrypted messaging platforms, which officers were able to infiltrate before making the arrests. He reportedly resisted arrest but was subdued, after which he is said to have admitted involvement in the illicit activities.

The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to clamp down on drug trafficking networks. It also follows a recent case involving another Nigerian, Ukoma Nuzbech, who was earlier arrested for allegedly evading trial in a separate drug-related case.

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NDLEA intercepts UK-bound Cocaine, Loud concealed in food flasks, snacks

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine concealed in food flasks bound for the United Kingdom.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the interception took place on April 9, 2026, leading to the arrest of two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39.

The agency disclosed that 12 large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms were discovered hidden in the false bottom of food flasks at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

The illicit consignment was scheduled for shipment via a Virgin Atlantic flight to the UK.

Further investigations identified the sender as a 52-year-old freight forwarder, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, who was subsequently apprehended.

In a separate operation at the airport’s import shed, NDLEA officers on April 8 intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack food packs arriving from the United States aboard a Delta Air Lines flight.

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Two clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested, while the consignee, 29-year-old fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, was later nabbed at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.

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