The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old Lagos businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, for allegedly masterminding an attempt to smuggle 3.3 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside food cartons to the United Kingdom. The suspect, a clothing trader at Balogun Market on Lagos Island, was arrested after investigators traced the shipment to him following a series of coordinated operations.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the operation began after officers intercepted the cocaine at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Three cargo agents who handled the consignment were initially arrested, and their interrogation led investigators to Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the shipment. Further investigations identified Chinedu as the suspected kingpin of the trafficking syndicate.
Babafemi said Chinedu was apprehended while allegedly attempting to dispatch another cocaine consignment to the United Kingdom. The agency believes the arrest has disrupted a significant international drug trafficking network operating from Lagos. Investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.
In separate operations, NDLEA also arrested a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, after intercepting 2.8kg of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis, shipped from the United States. Operatives further recovered 2.24 million tablets of Tapentadol, an addictive opioid, valued at over ₦2.2 billion, and seized 2,388.5kg of Canadian Loud concealed inside vehicles at the Apapa Seaport, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦7.1 billion.
Commending officers involved in the nationwide operations, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) urged personnel to sustain the agency’s aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking and illicit drug networks. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening intelligence-led operations to prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit hub for international drug trafficking.
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