NDLEA seize hard drugs hidden in frozen snails, electrical bulbs
By Obasola Olatunde
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered multiple consignments of illicit drugs cleverly concealed in frozen snails, giant electrical bulbs, and women’s clothing, all bound for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the seizures were made during operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and at a courier company in the state.
According to him, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the discoveries.
“One of them, a cargo agent identified as Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on October 7, 2025, after 15 parcels of skunk a strain of cannabis were found concealed in 10 giant rechargeable bulbs he presented for air freight to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Babafemi said.
He added that a 48 year old UK based public health assistant, Olawale Hakeemot, was also arrested on October 12 at the airport’s Terminal 2 departure hall with 2,300 pills of tramadol (225mg) hidden inside frozen snails while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom.
The NDLEA spokesperson further revealed that another syndicate’s plan to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes to the United States was foiled at a Lagos courier company on October 16.
In Adamawa State, operatives intercepted Bello Buba at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South LGA, with 38,270 tramadol pills concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and doors of his Honda Civic. The suspect reportedly drove from Benin Republic to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria.
Similarly, in Ekiti State, the agency destroyed 53,250kg of cannabis on 21.3 hectares of farmland in Ilawe-Ekiti, and recovered 1,140kg already packed in 70 bags. Three suspects Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20) were arrested during the operation.
In Ondo State, another 17,400kg of cannabis was destroyed on nearly seven hectares of farmland in the Aponmu Forest Reserve.
Babafemi also confirmed several arrests in Oyo, Ogun, Imo, and Enugu States, including the interception of 80,000 bottles of codeine based syrup imported from India at the Apapa Port, in a joint operation with Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to curbing drug trafficking and abuse nationwide, warning traffickers that innovative concealment methods would not shield them from detection.
The statement added that the agency continues to intensify surveillance across airports, seaports, highways, and border communities as part of efforts to disrupt international narcotics networks.