NDLEA Uncovers UK-Bound Cocaine Hidden in Cream Containers, Meth in Water Heater During Nationwide Raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a major drug trafficking network involving cocaine concealed in body cream containers and methamphetamine hidden in a water heater, following a series of coordinated operations across Nigeria.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that operatives also raided Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, after intelligence reports indicated a drug party was being held there.

According to Babafemi, the 3 a.m. operation led to the arrest of over 100 suspects, including the club owner, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike. “Cartons of illicit substances including Loud and laughing gas were recovered from suspects at the party and in the club’s store,” he said.

In a separate operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 70 parcels of cocaine weighing 3.6 kilograms. The drugs were hidden inside cocoa butter body cream containers destined for London. A cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, was arrested, which subsequently led to the apprehension of two key accomplices — Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah and Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, a travel agency CEO.

At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, NDLEA officers arrested Lemena Mark, a 35-year-old national of Lesotho, who attempted to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a Diabeta herbs coffee tea pack to the Philippines.

In another bust in Kwara State, operatives apprehended Umar Abubakar, 40, with 21,950 capsules of tramadol (250mg) hidden inside a 100-litre water heater.

Similarly, in Taraba State, two suspects — Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22 — were arrested at a checkpoint in Dan-Anacha with 450,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5.

NDLEA’s operations extended to other states, with seizures including 162.2 kilograms of skunk in Kogi, 128 kilograms in Nasarawa, and 500 grams of Loud from Oyonumoh Glory Effiong, a major distributor in Lekki, Lagos. In Ikorodu, officers recovered 275 litres of skuchies — a dangerous mixture of cannabis, blackcurrant drink, and opioids.

Additional arrests were made in Abia, Ondo, Kaduna, and Zamfara States, where NDLEA operatives also intercepted a suspect transporting arms and ammunition allegedly meant for bandits.

Babafemi reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and curbing the rising influence of narcotics in Nigeria’s nightlife and trafficking networks.

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