NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine and Tramadol Consignments Concealed in Vehicle Side Mirrors

Lagos, Nigeria— Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine and tramadol 225mg hidden in 71 vehicle side mirrors destined for Libreville, Gabon, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja export shed.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the first batch seized on July 19, 2025, included 57,420 tramadol pills and 57 cocaine pellets weighing 1.60kg on Air Côte d’Ivoire. The cargo agent handling the shipment, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was promptly arrested. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah on July 20.

Further search in Uzochukwu’s home on July 21 uncovered eleven parcels of cocaine totaling 1kg concealed in four more side mirrors, bringing the total cocaine seized to 68 parcels weighing 2.60 kilograms.

In a related case, on August 1, 2025, NDLEA arrested businesswoman Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. This followed the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine (a cutting agent) hidden in ladies’ lipsticks bound for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on July 10. Mrs. Nwafor admitted purchasing the lipsticks used for concealment while her husband, Remigus Nwafor, who remains at large, was reportedly responsible for the actual drug concealment. Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were arrested earlier.

Additionally, NDLEA operatives in Abuja arrested three dispatch riders—Sabo Sule, Samuel Nnamdi, and Idris Jibrin—on July 30 for distributing illicit drugs, recovering 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud cannabis. Two other suspects, Aliyu Abubakar and Adekunle Agbabiaka, were seized with 91.1kg of skunk cannabis on the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway on August 2.

The agency continues to fight drug trafficking with intelligence-led operations across various states, resulting in multiple arrests and seizures of cocaine, tramadol, cannabis, and other illicit substances in recent weeks.

By Taiwo Olatinwo | August 3, 2025