The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disrupted a major drug trafficking network, apprehending an Indian national and seizing significant quantities of illicit substances in separate operations across Kano and Lagos. In a high-profile arrest at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted Neetu Neetu, a 42-year-old Indian woman, carrying 11 kilograms of heroin concealed within chocolate wafer packaging.
The contraband was discovered during a thorough search of Neetu’s luggage upon her arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha on a Qatar Airways flight. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), noted that this arrest highlights the evolving tactics of drug cartels, which now include recruiting foreign nationals to transport narcotics.
“This arrest underscores our vigilance and the effectiveness of our advanced technology and intelligence gathering,” Marwa stated.
In a separate operation in Kano, NDLEA agents arrested Michael Ogundele, 45, at Gadar Tamburawa, along the Zaria-Kano Road, after discovering 50,000 tramadol pills hidden inside a 50-liter steel gas cylinder. Further investigations in Kano led to the arrests of Sunday Ogar, 40, with 27 kilograms of skunk, and Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, the NDLEA’s operations yielded several arrests and substantial drug seizures. Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa were apprehended in Mushin with 67.5 kilograms of skunk. An additional 100.8 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from a store linked to fleeing suspects in the Anifowoshe area. Isah Idris was arrested in Apapa with skunk, tramadol, and codeine syrup, while Yahaya Mohamed was apprehended in Ikotun with various quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
These operations demonstrate the NDLEA’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking across Nigeria, utilizing intelligence and technology to disrupt criminal networks.
