In a bold crackdown on international drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a Vietnam-bound businessman, Paul Mbadugha, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for ingesting 88 wraps of cocaine. The 54-year-old suspect was intercepted at the boarding gate on August 12, 2024, during the outward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha.
A High-Stakes Operation
Paul Mbadugha, who initially tested positive for drug ingestion, was placed under excretion observation for four days by NDLEA operatives. During this period, Mbadugha egested a total of 88 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.710 kilograms. This arrest marks another significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking, a menace that threatens both national security and public health.
The Route and the Reward
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Mbadugha, a Lagos-based businessman, confessed that he was offered $2,000 by a friend in the Isolo area of Lagos to deliver the cocaine pellets to Vietnam. This method of drug trafficking, which involves ingesting narcotics to evade detection, is not only dangerous for the trafficker but also a sophisticated challenge for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Continued Crackdown Across Nigeria
In a related operation, NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted a shipment of “Loud,” a potent synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 800 grams. The illegal substance was concealed in noodles destined for Congo. A follow-up operation at the Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos, led to the arrest of Nnamani Sunny, the consignor, who is a dealer in GSM handsets.
Furthermore, a large consignment of Loud imported from Canada was recovered by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport. A suspect, Desalu Temitope, who arrived on board an Air France flight, was arrested during a joint examination of his luggage. NDLEA officers discovered 65.80 kilograms of the psychoactive substance hidden in four out of six suitcases. Desalu admitted that he and an accomplice, who is currently at large, were promised $10,000 for the successful delivery of the shipment in Lagos.
Massive Codeine Seizure in Rivers State
In another significant drug interception, NDLEA operatives recovered 892,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup with an estimated street value of N6.2 billion. The recovery took place at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, during a joint examination of five containers shipped from India. The opioid bottles, packed in 5,337 cartons with a gross weight of 133,860 kilograms, were discovered in containers examined by NDLEA in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other port stakeholders.
The Broader Implications
These arrests and seizures underscore the relentless efforts of the NDLEA to stem the tide of drug trafficking in Nigeria. The agency’s operations are not only aimed at intercepting illegal substances but also at dismantling the networks that facilitate this illicit trade. The recent arrests serve as a stark reminder that the NDLEA is committed to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a hub for drug trafficking.
Conclusion
The NDLEA’s ongoing operations are a crucial part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to combat drug trafficking and its associated dangers. By intercepting these dangerous substances and arresting those involved in their distribution, the agency is playing a vital role in protecting the health and safety of Nigerians and the global community.
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