The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intensified its crackdown on international drug trafficking syndicates with the arrest of a 63-year-old Chinese woman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the interception of illicit drugs worth over N2.1 billion smuggled into Nigeria from India.
The agency also arrested suspects at the Abuja and Enugu international airports, while recording major seizures of cannabis and opioids in Lagos, Kano, Edo and Ekiti states in a nationwide anti-narcotics operation.
The Chinese national, identified as Ting Hung Kiong, was arrested on Sunday, May 17, 2026, upon her arrival in Lagos from Thailand through Dubai aboard an Emirates Airline flight.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect, who reportedly naturalised in Malaysia, was intercepted by operatives at the Terminal 2 Arrival Hall of the Lagos airport with two large travel boxes containing 31 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis.
Investigations by the anti-narcotics agency revealed that the suspect travelled from Malaysia to Thailand before heading to Nigeria through the United Arab Emirates.
During interrogation, the 63-year-old reportedly told investigators that she works as a caregiver in Malaysia and that her daughter sponsored her trip. She further claimed that she spent two weeks in Thailand before being handed the illicit consignment at the airport for delivery in Nigeria.
NDLEA Recovers N2.1 Billion Opioid Shipment
In what appeared to be another major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives also intercepted a massive shipment of Tapentadol 250mg tablets imported from India through the Lagos airport cargo section.
The agency disclosed that the consignment, which arrived aboard an Emirates Cargo flight, contained 1,825,710 tablets of the opioid drug packed in 29 large cartons and valued at N2.19 billion.
The shipment was handed over to the NDLEA by the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, May 22, after days of surveillance and monitoring by operatives at the airport import shed.
Cocaine, Tramadol Suspects Arrested in Abuja, Enugu
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, NDLEA officers arrested a suspect, Onyeka Valentine Emeka, during the inward clearance of passengers arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa.
The suspect was subsequently placed under observation, after which he excreted 185.36 grams of cocaine.
Similarly, operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, arrested a 29-year-old building engineer, Babatunde Prosper Afekhide, while he attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy, through Addis Ababa.
A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 10,280 pills of Tramaking 225mg, Tramadol 200mg and Tapentadol 250mg concealed with foil paper inside a carton hidden in his suitcase.
The NDLEA said the suspect allegedly attempted to disguise the drugs to evade airport screening and detection.
Courier Services Used for International Drug Shipments
In Lagos, operatives at a courier company intercepted additional consignments including 1,174 pills of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, concealed in a bicycle luggage carrier destined for the Netherlands.
The agency also recovered 66 pills of Tramadol 225mg hidden inside a soap container heading to the United States, as well as 18 tablets of the same drug concealed in a body cream container meant for shipment to the United Kingdom.
Major Cannabis Seizures in Edo, Kano, Ekiti
Outside the airports, NDLEA operatives expanded their operations into communities and border corridors across the country.
In Edo State, officers acting on intelligence raided the Igwe community in Owan East Local Government Area where they recovered 59 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 489 kilograms, alongside nine kilograms of cannabis seeds.
Along the Zaria-Kano road in Kano State, a 30-year-old suspect, Isah Sani, was arrested with 196,000 pills of Exol-5.
At the Seme border area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives also uncovered a warehouse in Mowo, Badagry, where 59 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
Another major seizure was recorded in Ekiti State where operatives stormed a warehouse located at N/56, Ikoyi community in Ikole-Ekiti and recovered 1,116 kilograms of skunk.
A 54-year-old suspect, Ogundana Adebayo Julius, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Agency Expands Anti-Drug Awareness Campaigns
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands across the country continued advocacy and sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, initiative.
The enlightenment programmes were carried out in schools and communities in Oyo, Anambra, Katsina, Lagos, Enugu, Ekiti and Kano states as part of efforts to discourage substance abuse among young Nigerians.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations for sustaining aggressive drug supply reduction efforts while simultaneously advancing anti-drug awareness campaigns nationwide.
The NDLEA boss charged operatives across all commands to maintain the momentum and continue raising the agency’s operational standards in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.