The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of synthetic cannabis worth more than ₦4.4 billion at Lagos ports and arrested a 101-year-old woman for alleged drug dealing as operatives intensified crackdowns across Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.

The agency said the seizures and arrests were recorded in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across the country in the past week, including the discovery of cocaine concealed inside cassava fufu.

In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the agency intercepted 1,490.5kg of Thai-origin synthetic cannabis known as “Loud” at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.

The agency described the operation as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped into Nigeria through a maritime route from Thailand.

₦4.4bn Loud shipment intercepted

At Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives discovered 1,090.5kg of Loud concealed inside a container declared to contain dry fish, rice, spare parts, soap and inverter batteries.

The consignment was packaged in 2,181 sachets, according to the agency.

Another watchlisted container at the Lekki Deep Sea Port yielded an additional 400kg of Loud, concealed beneath 798 reams of A4 paper.

The combined seizure was valued by the agency at more than ₦4.4 billion.

The interceptions followed intelligence and surveillance operations targeting drug trafficking routes through Nigeria’s maritime gateways.

101-year-old arrested for alleged drug dealing

In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives arrested 101-year-old Esther Ogunmabo on August 15 at Ilisan, allegedly with 90 grammes of skunk packaged in retail sachets.

According to the agency, the centenarian told investigators that she began selling drugs after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire.

She allegedly said a daughter based in Lagos supplied her with the substance every four days.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), ordered that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed under counselling because of her age.

Her daughter was subsequently arrested in connection with the case.

Cocaine concealed in fufu

In Akwa Ibom, NDLEA operatives working with other security agencies intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs towards fishing settlements in Cameroon.

The operation, conducted on August 21, led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of 42.622kg of narcotics.

One of the suspects, identified as 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John, was allegedly found with 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a wrap of edible cassava fufu.

Operatives also recovered 435 grammes of skunk from the suspect.

The agency said the wider seizure from the operation included other quantities of illicit substances recovered from the three suspects.

Tramadol, cannabis seized in other operations

NDLEA operations across other states also produced significant seizures.

In Niger State, operatives intercepted 24,410 tramadol pills concealed inside waybill packages being transported in a bus travelling from Enugu to Zuba.

The agency said the owner of the consignment was subsequently arrested in Kontagora.

In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 10,000kg of skunk cultivated on a four-hectare cannabis farm in Ijare Forest.

Another operation along the Ogbomosho-Ilorin Expressway in Kwara State led to the seizure of 1.325kg of methamphetamine and cannabis following the interception of a vehicle.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, operatives arrested a 65-year-old woman with 4.68kg of a mixture of illicit substances, including Loud, tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam and flunitrazepam.

Further seizures were recorded in Kano, Seme in Lagos and Abia State.

In Umuahia South, Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided a residence and recovered Loud, Colorado, tramadol and rohypnol.

NDLEA steps up prevention campaign

While enforcement operations continued, NDLEA commands across the country also sustained public awareness campaigns under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

The sensitisation activities targeted schools, religious institutions and community leaders in Kano, Oyo, Kebbi, Taraba, Edo and Ogun states.

The agency said the prevention campaigns were aimed at complementing its enforcement operations by reducing drug demand and educating communities about the dangers associated with illicit drug use.

Marwa commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain what he described as the agency’s “balanced approach” to drug control.

The latest seizures underscore the increasingly diverse methods being employed by traffickers, from disguising large consignments behind legitimate imports at major ports to concealing smaller quantities in food items and other everyday goods.

With the interception of the Thai-origin Loud shipments, the NDLEA said it had recorded another significant breakthrough in its effort to disrupt international drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria’s maritime corridors.