NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden In Mortar, Backpack Bound For China, Italy
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a backpack that were being prepared for shipment to China and Italy in separate export operations.
According to the agency, operatives of its Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) uncovered the illicit consignments during an operation at a Lagos logistics company on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
NDLEA said 250 grams of cocaine had been expertly concealed in the base of a locally made mortar destined for China, while another 500 grams was hidden inside the false bottom of a backpack billed for Italy.
In Rivers State, operatives arrested 38-year-old Ugo Gift Okonkwo, described as a notorious drug dealer, during an intelligence-led operation at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, July 26. Recovered from him were quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.
The agency also intercepted a truck carrying 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing about 3,960 kilograms during a stop-and-search operation at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Monday, July 27.
The truck driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
In Delta State, NDLEA officers recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus along the Kwale–Ughelli Expressway on Sunday, July 26.
Another operation in Nasarawa State led to the arrest of 64-year-old Joseph Nwaeke at Asso Angwan Muazu in the Karu area on Tuesday, July 28. He was allegedly found with 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.
In Zamfara State, operatives intercepted 27-year-old Sani Umar along the Zaria–Gusau Highway while allegedly transporting 7,400 tablets of tramadol (225mg), which investigators suspect were intended for criminal groups operating in the region.
The series of seizures forms part of the NDLEA's ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks and the illegal movement of narcotics within and outside Nigeria.
According to the agency, operatives of its Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) uncovered the illicit consignments during an operation at a Lagos logistics company on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
NDLEA said 250 grams of cocaine had been expertly concealed in the base of a locally made mortar destined for China, while another 500 grams was hidden inside the false bottom of a backpack billed for Italy.
In Rivers State, operatives arrested 38-year-old Ugo Gift Okonkwo, described as a notorious drug dealer, during an intelligence-led operation at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, July 26. Recovered from him were quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.
The agency also intercepted a truck carrying 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing about 3,960 kilograms during a stop-and-search operation at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Monday, July 27.
The truck driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
In Delta State, NDLEA officers recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus along the Kwale–Ughelli Expressway on Sunday, July 26.
Another operation in Nasarawa State led to the arrest of 64-year-old Joseph Nwaeke at Asso Angwan Muazu in the Karu area on Tuesday, July 28. He was allegedly found with 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.
In Zamfara State, operatives intercepted 27-year-old Sani Umar along the Zaria–Gusau Highway while allegedly transporting 7,400 tablets of tramadol (225mg), which investigators suspect were intended for criminal groups operating in the region.
The series of seizures forms part of the NDLEA's ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks and the illegal movement of narcotics within and outside Nigeria.
