NDLEA intercepts cocaine concealed in mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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…Arrests suspected drug dealer in Rivers, intercepts alleged bandits’ drug supplier in Zamfara

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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ABUJA — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine concealed in a local mortar and the false bottom of a backpack, allegedly prepared for shipment to China and Italy through a logistics company in Lagos.

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The agency said the seizures were made by officers of its Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

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According to the NDLEA, 250 grammes of cocaine were concealed in the base of a locally made mortar packed inside a carton destined for China, while another 500 grammes of cocaine were hidden in the false bottom of a backpack intended for shipment to Italy.

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In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 38-year-old suspected drug dealer, Ugo Gift Okonkwo, at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, following intelligence-led operations.

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The agency said the suspect was arrested on Sunday, July 26, with quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, Swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.

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In Anambra State, NDLEA officers conducting a stop-and-search operation at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha on Monday, July 27, intercepted a truck with registration number XK 131 BDG loaded with 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 3,960 kilogrammes.

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The truck driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

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Also, in Delta State, operatives recovered 1.84 kilogrammes of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KUJ 26 DV along the Kwale-Ughelli Expressway on Sunday, July 26.

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In Nasarawa State, NDLEA officers arrested a 64-year-old suspect, Joseph Nwaeke, at Asso Angwan Muazu in Karu on Tuesday, July 28. The agency said he was found with 68 kilogrammes of skunk and 29 grammes of methamphetamine.

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Similarly, in Zamfara State, operatives on patrol along the Zaria-Gusau Highway on Monday, July 27, intercepted a 27-year-old suspect, Sani Umar, allegedly conveying 7,400 tablets of 225mg tramadol. The NDLEA said the consignment was suspected to be intended for criminal elements.

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The agency also said its commands and formations nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign during the week with awareness programmes in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities.

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The campaign included lectures for students and staff of Hausawa Special Primary School, Kano; Royal Crown School, Oluyole, Ibadan; Government Secondary School, Ibi, Taraba State; and commercial drivers at Challenge Bus Terminal in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations as well as the Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Nasarawa and Zamfara commands for the successful operations.

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He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction across the country.

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