NDLEA uncovers narcotics concealed in snails, clothing, lighting bulbs bound for US, UK, others
Story by Tawheed Yakub, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled several desperate attempts by international drug cartels to traffic illicit drugs cleverly concealed in everyday items such as frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and women’s clothing.
The agency’s operatives made the discoveries at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos, intercepting the consignments bound for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, at least two suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempts.
Read also: Yobe, NDLEA renew partnership to tackle drug trafficking
One of the suspects, Boladale Riliwan, a cargo agent, was nabbed on October 7, 2025, after officers uncovered 15 parcels of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis) cleverly stuffed inside ten giant rechargeable electrical bulbs. The illegal cargo was being prepared for airfreight to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In another incident, NDLEA operatives arrested 48-year-old Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, a UK-based public health assistant, at MMIA Terminal 2 on October 12. She was caught with 2,300 pills of Tramadol 225mg concealed inside frozen snails while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, UK.
The agency also intercepted 810 pills of Bromazepam hidden in female clothing destined for the United States at a Lagos courier facility on October 16, effectively busting another export syndicate.
Read also: NDLEA intercepts ₦3.9bn tramadol shipment, arrests Indian businessman, accomplices
The NDLEA’s operations extended beyond Lagos. In Adamawa State, operatives arrested Bello Buba at a checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South, seizing 38,270 Tramadol pills concealed inside a Honda Civic’s spare tyre, boot, and door compartments. The vehicle had reportedly been driven from the Benin Republic into Nigeria.
Similarly, in Oyo State, agents apprehended Aliyu Muhammed (50), Babarinde Segun (32), Ogunbiyi Sanjo (30), and Ajani Oluro (30) with 596kg of skunk in Apata-Ako, Igboora, while Jacob Afolabi (30) and Salako Oluwatobi (25) were caught with 273kg of the same drug in Odo-Oyan, Igangan, on October 16.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 11 bags of skunk weighing 117kg from the hideout of one Ramoni Olukowi in Mushin on October 18.
Read also: NAFDAC bans 101 drugs including Flagyl, Artemether-Lumefantrine
In a major breakthrough, the agency also seized 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup from a container imported from India, which had been placed on a watchlist. The interception took place during a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at Apapa Port on October 14.
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