NDLEA Seizes Multi-Billion Naira Drug Shipments Hidden in Automobile Parts at Lagos Port
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted multi-billion-naira worth of methamphetamine and “Loud” (a potent strain of synthetic cannabis) hidden in automobile spare parts at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos. The seizure, made just in time for the Christmas and New Year festive season, follows months of intelligence-driven tracking of the illicit cargo across three continents.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the drugs, which were concealed in shipments originating from Canada, had been carefully tracked by the agency’s Special Operations Units and the Tincan Port Strategic Command. These efforts led to the interception of the shipments, intended for distribution during the holidays.
Babafemi disclosed that this marks the first time the NDLEA has recovered two separate consignments of methamphetamine totaling 83.301 kilograms. The drugs were concealed within automobile parts, and authorities believe the shipments were bound for warehouses in the Ladipo automobile parts market in Lagos’ Mushin area.
The two shipments seized contained a combined street value of over N2.29 billion. One container contained 1,735 parcels of “Loud” packed in 44 jumbo bags, weighing a total of 867.5kg. Alongside this, six plastic coolers held 87 packs of methamphetamine, weighing 78.3kg. The methamphetamine alone is valued at N124.95 million, while the “Loud” strain of cannabis is worth an estimated N2.17 billion.
Also Read: How We Seized ₦198 Billion Worth Of Cocaine In Lagos – By NDLEA
Babafemi also stated that two businessmen, Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, have been arrested in connection with the seizures.
The shipments, which had been tracked since their initial departure from Toronto, Canada, were closely monitored as they trans-shipped through various locations including Antwerp, Belgium, before finally arriving in Lagos. The first shipment was flagged by NDLEA’s intelligence network as early as October 4, 2024, when preparations began in Canada. From there, it was meticulously tracked as it moved across continents before being unloaded at Lagos Port on December 1.
