Lagos Drug Bust: NDLEA Recovers N16.6m Worth, Rejects Bribe

NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling, Rejects N10m Bribe Attempt

Other illicit consignments intercepted during the joint inspection of the containers...

Lagos Drug Bust: NDLEA Uncovers Hidden Stash, Seizes Cannabis, Tramadol, Molly, and Rohypnol

Operatives from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) rejected a whopping N10 million bribe offered to release a drug suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, in Lagos. This came after the agency successfully intercepted a massive haul of illicit drugs, including 26,250,000 tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at N16.68 billion in street value.

The drugs were seized during a joint examination of watch-listed containers with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tin Can Port in Lagos and Port Harcourt port, Onne, Rivers State, between October 22 and 23. The suspect, 40-year-old Tsolaye Eburajolo, was arrested at the Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos, in connection with the intercepted drugs.

Details of the Bust:

• Drugs Seized: 26,250,000 tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup
• Street Value: N16.68 billion
• Location: Tin Can Port, Lagos, and Port Harcourt port, Onne, Rivers State
• Dates: October 22-23
• Suspect: Tsolaye Eburajolo, 40, arrested in Ago Palace area, Okota, Lagos

According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA's spokesperson, the rejected bribe has been added to the exhibits recovered from the suspect, demonstrating the agency's commitment to fighting corruption and drug trafficking.

The statement said, “Other illicit consignments intercepted during the joint inspection of the containers include 10 million tablets of Toradol Benzhexol and 28 plastic drums of methamphetamine weighing 700kg at Tincan and Onne respectively, while 56 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 28kg, were also recovered from a container that arrived the Lagos port from Canada.

“A suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, 40, was arrested at Ago Palace area of Okota Lagos in connection with the cannabis seizure while a bribe of N10m paid the NDLEA officers to free the suspect has been kept as part of the exhibits for the prosecution of the case.”

NDLEA operatives have made another significant bust, recovering substantial quantities of illicit substances at three courier firms in Lagos. The seized items include:

Drugs Bound for the US, UK, and Oman

    293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injection

    1.690kg cannabis

    Tramadol tablets cleverly concealed in hair attachments and soles of shoes 

These illicit substances were headed to the United States, United Kingdom, and Oman before the NDLEA operatives intercepted them. This operation highlights the agency's vigilance and commitment to curbing the international trafficking of narcotics.

Additionally, in a similar operation earlier this month, NDLEA operatives seized 525 pills of tramadol and ecstasy concealed in sanitary pads at a courier firm in Lagos, which were destined for Cyprus. These successes demonstrate the effectiveness of the NDLEA's efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs both domestically and internationally.

“A total of 2,118 pills of tramadol concealed in soles of 13 pairs of shoes going to Cyprus were seized at the export shed of the Lagos airport on October 12, 2024, and an additional 380 tablets recovered from the home of the sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna, during a follow- up operation in Enugu on Thursday, October 24,” he added.

The NDLEA operatives in Lagos made a massive bust on Friday, October 25, raiding the Igbo-Igunuko shrine at Alfa Beach, Ajah, and seizing 2,760 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in jumbo bags. This operation showcases the agency's relentless efforts to curb the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.

“Two suspects, Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun, were arrested. Another suspect, Ademola Oyelakin, was also arrested the same day with 770kg of the same psychoactive substance along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” he added.

NDLEA operatives uncovered a hidden stash of illicit drugs at the Lekki Phase 1, Lagos residence of Muhammad Abdullahi. The seizure included:

11,786 pills of:

•  Tramadol
•  Molly
•  Rohypnol
•  Diazepam
• 64 bottles of codeine syrup

Abdullahi had cleverly concealed the drugs in an underground storage facility beneath his bedroom on Marwa Coastal Road. To avoid detection, he:

• Dug a hidden compartment
• Covered it with a padlocked iron slate
• Placed a rug on top
• Positioned his mattress over the hidden storage

This creative concealment effort ultimately failed, as NDLEA operatives discovered the hidden drugs, disrupting Abdullahi's illicit activities.