The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol worth over N6.98 billion at the Apapa port and 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud valued at N165 million at the Tincan port, both in Lagos, while it arrested an 85-year old woman with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis in Edo State.
The seizures were part of a series of intelligence-led operations across Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during which operatives recovered large consignments of illicit drugs and arrested several suspects.
Recall that two weeks ago, operatives of the NDLEA arrested a 101-year old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, in Ilishan, Ogun State, for allegedly selling 90 grammes of skunk (cannabis) packaged in retail sachets. She was granted administrative bail and referred for counselling due to her advanced age.
In a similar case, 67-year old Nigerian-British caregiver, Mary Yetunde Barek was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in June 2026, after allegedly being found with 13 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside artificial plantain peels.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, October 18, adding that the agency had intensified its operations against drug trafficking networks across the country.
The powdered tramadol, imported from India and concealed in a shipment declared as maize starch, was uncovered during a joint examination by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies at the APM terminals in Apapa.
Although the shipment was discovered on October 2, the drugs were separated from their concealment on Wednesday, October 14, revealing 349 bags with a gross weight of 8,725 kilogrammes.
A confirmatory test conducted at the NDLEA forensic laboratory identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder, with an estimated street value of over N6.98 billion.
In a separate operation at the Tincan port on Monday, October 12, operatives discovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, valued at N165 million, concealed in a Toyota Sienna vehicle inside a 40-foot container.
The drugs were packed in brown cartons and hidden inside the vehicle, which was conveyed in the container.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested six suspects during raids on Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.
Among those arrested was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was found with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis at Warake.
Other suspects included Ayo Aigberadion, 53, arrested with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis at Ewe/Irue; Ali Garba, 57, with 5.852 kilogrammes; Habib Braimoh, 45, with 100 grammes; Musa Mubid, 35, with two kilogrammes of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam, and Hope Okoro, 35, with 237 grammes of Loud.
In Ondo State, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on Saturday, October 17, destroying 7,500 kilogrammes of cannabis cultivated on three hectares of land