From a local mortar bound for China to tramadol meant for bandits in Zamfara, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA says it intercepted a week’s worth of both international and domestic drug trafficking in coordinated operations across 6 states.
The Agency described the seizures between July 26 and July 30, 2026 as proof of its “balanced approach” — hitting drug barons at ports and borders while also cutting off supplies to criminals and sensitizing communities.
INTERNATIONAL ROUTES: COCAINE HIDDEN IN MORTAR AND BACKPACK
Operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations, DOGI, in Lagos intercepted two consignments at a logistics company on Thursday, July 30.
1. 250 grams of cocaine was factory-fitted into the base of a _local mortar_ and packed in a carton for export to China.
2. 500 grams of cocaine was concealed in the false bottom of a backpack being shipped to Italy.
NDLEA says the trend of hiding hard drugs in everyday cultural items is increasing as traffickers try to beat scanning at export hubs.
DOMESTIC CRACKDOWN: DEALERS, DRIVERS, AND BANDIT SUPPLIERS
Rivers State
On Sunday, July 26, operatives in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt arrested 38-year-old Ugo Gift Okonkwo, described as a notorious drug dealer.
Recovered from him: quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol, and codeine syrup.
Anambra State
Also on Monday, July 27, at DMGS Roundabout, Onitsha, officers stopped a truck marked XK 131 BDG and arrested driver Chinedu Nwanze, 40.
Inside: 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 3,960kg.
Delta State
On Sunday, July 26, along the Kwale/Ughelli expressway, NDLEA recovered 331.84kg of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus, reg. no. KUJ 26 DV.
Nasarawa State
On Tuesday, July 28, at Asso Angwan Muazu, Karu, a 64-year-old man, Joseph Nwaeke was arrested with 68kg of skunk and 29g of methamphetamine.
Zamfara State
On Monday, July 27, along the Zaria-Gusau highway, operatives intercepted Sani Umar, 27, conveying 7,400 pills of Tramadol 225mg.
NDLEA says the consignment was suspected to be supplies for criminal elements/bandits operating in the North-West.
WADA: TAKING THE MESSAGE TO SCHOOLS AND PARKS
Alongside arrests and seizures, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA campaign last week.
Sensitization lectures were held at:
– Hausawa Special Primary School, Kano
– Royal Crown School, Oluyole, Ibadan
– Government Secondary School, Ibi, Taraba
– Drivers at Challenge Bus Terminal Park, Ibadan, among others.
WHAT NDLEA IS SAYING
Commending officers of DOGI and the 5 state Commands, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them to “continue with the ongoing balanced approach” to drug control — combining supply reduction, demand reduction, and public education.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This week’s busts show two fronts in Nigeria’s drug war:
1. Global: Traffickers are using creative concealment — mortars, backpacks, vehicles — to move cocaine to Europe and Asia through Lagos logistics firms.
2. Local: Codeine, tramadol, and skunk are feeding addiction in schools and communities, and arming criminal gangs in the North-West.
For NDLEA, the message is clear: the same week you stop cocaine to China, you must also stop tramadol to bandits.
