NDLEA major drug bust uncovers opioids hidden in a truck carrying building materials as nationwide anti-drug operations intensify

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has recorded a major breakthrough after operatives uncovered large consignments of opioids and other illicit substances hidden beneath building materials in a truck travelling from Anambra State to Taraba State.

Also read: NDLEA Uncovers Dangerous Drug Smuggling Network in Lagos

The discovery, which forms part of a wider NDLEA Major Drug Bust across several states, led to the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, and the seizure of hundreds of thousands of prohibited drugs.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the truck was intercepted by officers of the NDLEA Taraba Command following credible intelligence.

The vehicle, loaded with building materials, was travelling from Onitsha in Anambra State to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

“A thorough search of the vehicle by the NDLEA operatives at the Nukkai Timber Shade, Jalingo, led to the discovery of a massive drug stash concealed beneath the cargo, while a 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was promptly arrested,” Babafemi said.

Recovered from the vehicle were 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.

In a separate operation in Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old man, Okebe Samuel, in Okposi over alleged drug trafficking activities.

Babafemi said the suspect was found with 300 grams of skunk, which he allegedly sold in small quantities to young people within the community.

“Demonstrating that age is no barrier to the enforcement of the law, NDLEA operatives in Ebonyi State tracked down and arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Okebe Samuel, at Okposi,” the statement noted.

In Imo State, officers raided a known drug enclave in Umulolo, Orlu, where 32-year-old Chioma Okeke was arrested and eight kilograms of skunk recovered.

The NDLEA Major Drug Bust also extended to Edo State, where four suspected traffickers, including three women, were apprehended during separate operations in Benin City.

At Uyosa, operatives arrested Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, with quantities of skunk, Loud and methamphetamine.

Another suspect, Anita Abraham, 21, was arrested along Agbor Road with Scottish Loud and regular Loud, while Henry Okey, 43, was apprehended at Upper Mission with assorted psychotropic substances.

In Kano State, NDLEA officers arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan in the Kafi area of Madobi with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.

Meanwhile, in Gombe State, 28-year-old Ugwu Ifebuchi was intercepted near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.

Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse campaign continued in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Anambra and Kano states as part of efforts to reduce drug abuse through education and awareness.

Reacting to the latest operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the arrests and seizures.

“The War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands and formations equally continued across the country in the past week,” Marwa said.

He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt supply chains across the country.

According to Marwa, the agency remains committed to pursuing traffickers regardless of age, gender or the methods used to conceal illegal substances.

Also read: NDLEA Arrests 48 Suspects, Seizes 541kg Drugs in Edo

The latest seizures underscore ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to curb the circulation of dangerous narcotics and psychotropic substances, which authorities say continue to pose significant threats to public health and security across Nigeria.