Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted two consignments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado, weighing 44.45kg in shipments from the United Kingdom.
The agency also recovered additional consignments of the drug concealed in music speakers at two motor parks in Lagos, with at least seven suspects arrested in connection with the seizures.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
UK Shipments Intercepted
According to the agency, operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted a UK-bound consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.
A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after allegedly arriving with a collection code provided by his brother based in the UK to receive a luggage containing the illicit substance.
A follow-up investigation into another UK shipment led to the arrest of 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who was linked to a second consignment containing 12.25kg of Colorado.
The suspect reportedly told NDLEA operatives that his brother in the UK sent the package to him.
Cannabis Concealed in Speakers
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a music speaker containing three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza-Maza.
The consignment was reportedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and eventually Liberia.
A tour agent, 41-year-old Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, and the alleged owner of the consignment, 46-year-old Obasi Ugochukwu, were arrested during a sting operation at a nearby restaurant.
At Iddo Park, another suspect, Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry, was arrested on Friday, September 11, while allegedly attempting to send 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
Drugs Recovered in Delta and Kano
In Delta State, separate operations in Ughelli and Asaba resulted in the recovery of pentazocine injections, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam, also known as Hypnox, and MDMA, commonly called Molly.
The NDLEA said some of the substances were concealed in music speakers. Two suspects, Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi, were arrested.
In Kano State, a raid in Sabon Gari led to the arrest of 20-year-old Saidu Adamu, from whom operatives recovered 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.
Another operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia Road resulted in the seizure of 1,700 diazepam tablets allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread. A 28-year-old suspect, Habibu Sabitu, was arrested in connection with the consignment.
In Plateau State, the agency said 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor was arrested at Katako Market in Jos with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
Large Cannabis Seizures
The NDLEA also reported the destruction of 4,832.56kg of skunk, a form of cannabis, during operations on farms in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest in Edo State.
A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operation on Friday, September 11.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, on September 9.
The operation led to the recovery of 186kg of skunk allegedly concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car.
A 58-year-old suspect, Paul Ogbuwala, was arrested. The agency alleged that he was planning to transport the consignment to Jos for onward distribution.
In Kaduna State, a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested at Ovom in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.
They were identified as 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, Motombo Silver, 44, Pere Andrew, 39, and Keme Andrew, 43.
NDLEA Continues Anti-Drug Campaign
The agency said its commands across the country also continued with its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation programmes during the week.
The activities included an awareness lecture for students and staff of Mezube Islamiyya Academy in Tudun Wada, Kano; an advocacy visit to the Cross River State College of Health Technology in Calabar; and a visit by Rikkos traditional rulers to the NDLEA Academy in Jos.
The Zone 4 Command also visited the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Nasarawa State, as part of its WADA advocacy campaign.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to maintain the agency’s approach to combating drug trafficking and abuse.
Marwa called on the operatives to continue blocking channels used by drug cartels, including airports, seaports, land borders and areas where cannabis is cultivated.
Source: The PUNCH
