Destroys 20,234kg of skunk, arrests businessman, fugitive wanted for six years

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted more than N5 billion worth of illicit drugs at Lagos and Onne ports, seized cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol and other substances in nationwide operations, and destroyed 20,234kg of skunk cultivated on 8.0936 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun State.

Among the major seizures was 4.80kg of cocaine concealed in the soles of shoes and the railings of travel bags by a 38-year-old businessman, Philip Tunde, who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to fly to Milan, Italy.

Tunde was arrested on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the joint screening point of Terminal 2, ahead of his Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan.

A search led to the recovery of 16 parcels of cocaine hidden in the soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes, as well as 195 wraps concealed in the railings of four travelling bags. The substances had a combined weight of 4.80kg.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly said he paid N16 million in cash for the cocaine in the shoes, while the consignment in the bags was intended for delivery to his partner in Italy. He also said he raised the money from compensation paid to him after he lost the tips of two fingers in an industrial injury while working at a plastic manufacturing company in Italy.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Apapa, Tincan Island and Onne ports intercepted consignments of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and codeine-based cough syrup worth more than N5 billion.

At Apapa Port, Lagos, officers recovered 161 parcels of Thai Loud weighing 124kg and valued at N372 million from a container shipped from Bangkok, Thailand.

At Onne Port, Rivers State, a joint examination of two watch-listed containers led to the seizure of 22kg of Loud and 109,600 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup weighing 16,440kg. The consignments were valued at N833.2 million.

At Tincan Island Port, Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 2,595 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 1,297.5kg and valued at more than N3.8 billion from a container shipped from Montreal, Canada.

In Osun State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 20,234kg of skunk cultivated on 8.0936 hectares of cannabis farm in Area 4, Ife South Local Government Area, on Wednesday, September 30.

The agency also reported a series of seizures and arrests across Lagos, Kogi, Edo and Plateau states.

In Lagos, officers recovered 209,000 tablets of tramadol from an unoccupied compound at Divine Estate, Ago Palace, while a follow-up operation at Ladipo Spare Parts Market led to the arrest of 23-year-old Ekundayo Taiwo with 61g of Colorado and 24g of methamphetamine.

In Kogi State, officers intercepted a Lagos-Abuja-bound bus along the Okene-Lokoja Highway and recovered 1kg of methamphetamine concealed in a waybill. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged owner, 29-year-old Michael Chukwuememka Uzoma, in Abuja.

In Edo State, a raid on the residence of 35-year-old Saturday Omimi at Uyere community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, yielded 32.2kg of cannabis sativa. The same day, officers arrested 23-year-old Osazuwa Iyabor Michael at Auchi Bypass, Benin City, with Loud, Colorado, tramadol, methamphetamine, Swinol and Molly.

In Plateau State, 41-year-old Agbo Dennis was arrested at West of Mines, Jos North, following the seizure of 33 bags of skunk weighing 385kg.

The agency also arrested 47-year-old Idris Mohammed Kurra, who had allegedly been on the run for six years after jumping bail in a drug case before the Federal High Court, Jos.

Kurra had been facing trial over alleged possession and dealing in 198kg of skunk before absconding in December 2020.