NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Concealed in Frozen Snails, Electrical Bulbs Bound for US, UK, DRC

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted several consignments of illicit drugs cleverly concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothes, bound for the United States, United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the attempts.

A cargo agent, Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on October 7 after 15 parcels of skunk were discovered concealed in 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he presented for export to the DRC.

Similarly, 48-year-old Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, a UK-based Public Health Assistant, was apprehended on October 12 while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester with frozen snails stuffed with 2,300 pills of tramadol 225mg.

Another export attempt involving 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes destined for the United States was foiled at a courier company in Lagos on October 16.

In a separate operation in Adamawa State, Bello Buba was intercepted at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic. He reportedly drove the consignment from Benin Republic into Nigeria.

The agency also reported the destruction of large cannabis farms across Ekiti and Ondo states. In Ilawe Ekiti, 53,250 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 21.3 hectares of farmland, with three suspects — Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20) — arrested. Another 17,400 kilograms were destroyed on 6.96 hectares at Aponmu Forest Reserve, Akure, Ondo State.

Additional arrests were made in Oyo, Ogun, Imo, and Enugu states, with substantial recoveries. These include 596kg of skunk seized in Oyo, 13,000 pills of opioids in Imo, and 74.5kg of skunk recovered in Enugu. In Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized 117kg of skunk in Mushin and 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup from a container imported from India at Apapa Port during a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service.

Meanwhile, NDLEA formations nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious institutions, and workplaces. Among the institutions visited were Command Grammar School, Igogo Ekiti; Government Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers; and St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their dedication and urged them to maintain the momentum in the agency’s “balanced approach” to drug control across the country.