Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four key members in intelligence-led operations.

The crackdown resulted in the seizure of tramadol pills worth millions of naira hidden in vehicle compartments, methamphetamine disguised as auto spare parts, and other illicit substances across multiple states, including Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, and Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

The statement read: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have busted a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations, during which tramadol pills worth millions of naira, concealed in the bumpers and false bottoms of Sienna buses heading to border towns, were recovered.

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“Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in the NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa-Toto Road, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, January 27th, 2025, at 6 a.m. Two suspects, Zahradeen Adamu, 27, and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, en route to Yola, Adamawa State. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also intercepted.

“During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper, where a total of 190,960 tramadol pills were concealed, as well as in the space designed to house the spare tyre.

“Investigations revealed that an Onitsha-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri, supplied the seized tramadol consignment. A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha residence on 29th January. Two vehicles — a Toyota Corolla with registration number FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH — were recovered from his house.”

NDLEA also intercepted a suspect, Chimezie Ojingwa, with 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud (a synthetic cannabis strain), and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone (a precursor for meth production) hidden inside a black bag filled with auto spare parts.

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The statement continued: “In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja, on 4th February. A passenger in the bus, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag, was arrested. When his bag was searched, 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor for mixing meth, all of which were concealed in the motor parts, were recovered.”

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck transporting 170,000 tramadol pills. At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.

The statement added: “In Cross River State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ogoja-Abakaliki Road, Yahe, on Thursday, 13th February, intercepted 170,000 tramadol pills in a truck driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31, while operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday, 11th February, recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.”

Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were arrested in Borno State with 60 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 72 kilograms.

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NDLEA operatives also raided a notorious drug joint in Ekiti, arresting three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. The operation led to the confiscation of 83 kilograms of skunk.

The statement continued: “Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were nabbed at Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, 14th February, with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72 kg. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Ekiti State on Tuesday, 11th February, raided a notorious drug joint at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti, where they arrested three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.”

A 28-year-old woman, Samiat Yussuf, was arrested in Lagos after NDLEA operatives raided her residence in Lekki. The operation led to the seizure of 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and 111 grams of Loud.

Similarly, in Taraba, officers confiscated 132.84 kilograms of skunk from two suspects during operations in Wukari and Jalingo LGA.

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The statement added: “In Lagos, 28-year-old Samiat Olabisi Yussuf was arrested on Saturday, 15th February, by operatives during a raid of her Lekki home, where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, and 111 grams of Loud were recovered.

“Not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects, Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, in Taraba. While Usman was nabbed with 88 kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, James was arrested with 44.84 kg of the same substance at Takanaba, Sabongari, in Jalingo LGA.”

The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing illicit substances from reaching the streets. The agency continues to intensify its intelligence-driven operations across the country, ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice.