Major drug bust in Lagos: NDLEA nabs businessman over US-imported cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has escalated its crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates with a series of significant arrests spanning multiple states and international routes.

Among those apprehended are a Lekki-based entrepreneur and an Italy-bound logistics agent, both caught in separate drug smuggling operations.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested 43-year-old Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, the owner of Damillionz Takeout, for his alleged involvement in importing 60 parcels of Loud, a high-potency strain of cannabis, from the United States. The illicit consignment, concealed in seven large cartons, was intercepted at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12. Acting on intelligence, NDLEA officers apprehended Ebenezer at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki, on March 24, as he awaited delivery of the shipment.

A subsequent search of his residence yielded an additional 94 grams of Loud, a cannabis crusher, and other drug-related paraphernalia, bringing the total weight of drugs seized to 32.24 kilograms. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Ebenezer allegedly admitted to engaging in drug trafficking since 2017.

In a separate operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA officials intercepted Omoruyi Terry, a businessman attempting to smuggle 1,400 Tramadol pills (225mg) weighing 800 grams to Italy. Omoruyi was apprehended at the Terminal 2 screening point while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight. Investigations revealed that he frequently travels to Italy and operates as a logistics agent.

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, an intelligence-led operation in Godai village, Daura Local Government Area, led to the arrest of four suspects—Baraka Abubakar, Haruna Alitine, Muhammad Babangida, and Hamisu Lawal. NDLEA operatives seized 684 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 423 kilograms and 86,000 diazepam tablets. Three of the suspects were caught repackaging the drugs, while Baraka was found with large quantities of skunk stored in her residence.