NDLEA has apprehended Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, a businesswoman from Ibadan, Oyo State, and Arinze Ora, an auto parts dealer, for attempting to smuggle opioids and cocaine to the UK and Congo Brazzaville, respectively.
On September 6, 2024, NDLEA officials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos intercepted a shipment destined for the UK. A detailed inspection revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup, weighing 135.70 kg, and 5,250 tablets of Rohypnol concealed within cartons of foodstuffs. Freight agent Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who handled the shipment, was arrested, leading to the capture of Adewunmi Akeem Temitope, who claimed his mother, Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, sent the cargo from Ibadan. Dorcas was subsequently arrested on September 7 in Ibadan, where she operates a foodstuffs and cargo export business.
Owojori admitted to previously working for Dorcas and receiving N2,411,000 for this shipment, and N2.1 million for a prior consignment.
In a separate incident, on September 11, NDLEA agents intercepted another shipment at the Lagos airport, bound for Congo Brazzaville. This cargo, containing auto parts and Checkers powder custard, concealed 300 grams of cocaine within the custard containers. Arinze Ora, the sender and auto parts dealer from Lagos, was arrested following the discovery.
Additionally, on September 10, the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested brothers Ikechukwu and Ugochukwu Ikeabba, known sponsors of drug traffickers to Vietnam. Their arrest followed the investigation of Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, who, after being detained at Lagos airport on August 8, excreted 68 wraps of cocaine (1.282 kg) over 12 days.
Paul Okwuy Mbadugha, another Vietnam-bound businessman, was arrested at Abuja airport on August 12. He tested positive for cocaine ingestion and, after observation, was found to have swallowed 88 wraps (1.710 kg) of the drug.
The Ikeabba brothers were also found with 87 dummy wraps used for training drug swallowers.
