JUST-IN: NDLEA Arrests India-Bound Businessman with Cocaine, Recovers N3.6bn Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with 1.550kg of cocaine concealed in the side walls and railings of his luggage while attempting to travel to New Delhi, India.

The suspect, a marble dealer, reportedly confessed that he sold his business and other assets to raise ₦23 million to purchase the cocaine, hoping to sell it for up to ₦100 million in India.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives also recovered 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine syrup valued at over ₦2.6 billion from a warehouse in Okota. Another raid in Ipaja led to the arrest of 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode and the seizure of 324kg of Colorado cannabis valued at ₦972 million, alongside two vehicles.

Across Kwara and Oyo, the agency arrested four suspects and recovered 55.96kg of skunk, 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol. In Delta, NDLEA operatives seized 124,100 tramadol pills, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 rohypnol tablets, 4,800 diazepam tablets and other controlled substances, while another suspect was arrested with 1,244 cartridges and ₦8 million.

In Kano, six suspects were arrested with 728,958 opioid pills, 360g of cocaine, 99.8g of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud. A separate raid in Kumbotso recovered 106.8kg of skunk and led to two arrests.

In Plateau, NDLEA recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, while in Edo, 4,628.9775kg of skunk was destroyed on two cannabis farms. Another suspect was arrested in Benin City with 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine.

The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools and communities across the country.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged commands nationwide to sustain efforts against both drug trafficking and abuse.

The disclosure was contained in a statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, August 16, 2026.