NDLEA Busts Cocaine Dealer | 77.5kg Drug Seizure Shocks Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, a wanted automobile spare parts trader, just three weeks after initiating a manhunt for his involvement in a foiled attempt to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

Major Drug Seizures Across Nigeria

During a series of nationwide operations, NDLEA officers confiscated phenacetin—a known cocaine-cutting agent—disguised in semolina packs. Additionally, authorities intercepted a shipment of cannabis-infused candies originating from the United Kingdom and intended for sale in a Lagos children’s store.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, revealed that intelligence-sharing collaboration between NDLEA and Angolan law enforcement led to Ubodoeze’s arrest.

“Following the interception of the illicit drug consignment at a logistics company within Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on February 21, 2025, Angolan authorities promptly detained the expected recipient. Their interrogation exposed the identity of the sender, facilitating further action.”

On March 6, NDLEA operatives tracked Ubodoeze to his residence in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos. He was captured while attempting to flee in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle unveiled 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin, carefully packaged and falsely labeled as semolina. Authorities also recovered a digital scale used for drug measurements from his home.

During interrogation, Ubodoeze admitted to trafficking cocaine while operating a motor spare parts business in Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos. He disclosed that the Angolan recipient had warned him about their arrest, prompting his hasty attempt to vacate his residence before NDLEA operatives closed in.

Interception of Cannabis-Laced Candies at MMIA

At the import terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA officers seized a cargo shipment of cannabis-infused candies smuggled from the United Kingdom. The consignment, which arrived on February 27 as part of a consolidated cargo via Allied Airways, was reportedly intended for a children’s store at 46 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

A forensic examination confirmed that the candies were laced with a potent strain of cannabis. Consequently, law enforcement detained Adedamola Taylor on March 4, following the prior arrest of a freight agent. During questioning, Taylor claimed that his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, had sent the package for delivery to Musurat Lawal, who managed the store. A subsequent raid at the shop resulted in Lawal’s arrest.

Other Major Drug Busts Across the Country

In a separate operation on March 7, NDLEA officers at Shibiri, Ojo, Lagos, arrested two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene, after discovering 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain, weighing 128kg concealed in their truck.

The same day, three individuals—Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe—were apprehended at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, Lagos, with a staggering 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.

In Kano, a 65-year-old suspect, Yahaya Haruna, was caught with 19.2kg of skunk along Gadar Tamburawa Road on March 6, while Musa Bello (alias Jajere), aged 60, was found in possession of 212 bottles of codeine syrup in Medile, Kumbotso Local Government Area.

In Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided the residence and warehouse of a 37-year-old suspect, Blessing Okoronkwo, at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, on March 4. The operation led to the recovery of 442,594 tramadol pills, various opioids, and 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup.

Meanwhile, in Benue State, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were seized from two suspects, Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, at Ugbema Junction, Katsina Ala, on March 5.

In Osun State, law enforcement arrested Asimiyu Muibi, 50, with 162kg of skunk at Modakeke, Ife East, on March 4. Additionally, 95kg of the same substance was confiscated from a Toyota Camry with plate number KSF 72 GW during an Ede-based raid the same day.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers raided the Amahor community forest in Igueben on March 5, where they destroyed 9,514.625kg of skunk cultivated on 3.8 hectares of farmland. A suspect, Etim Esien Stephen, 55, was apprehended during the operation.

Nationwide Anti-Drug Campaigns Continue

NDLEA continues its relentless War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, engaging schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities in anti-drug awareness campaigns. Some notable locations include Model High School, Amaechi, Enugu; Bengy Secondary School, Agege, Lagos; Sunshine Secondary School, Akwa Ibom; and Government Day Secondary School, Adamawa.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s dedicated officers for their effective drug supply and demand reduction efforts. He commended the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun, and Edo commands for their unwavering commitment to keeping illicit drugs off the streets.