The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a high-profile drug syndicate led by a prominent real estate Chief Executive, while foiling bizarre smuggling attempts involving fake pregnancies and internal ingestion.
In a series of coordinated raids across Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, and several other states, the agency intercepted multi-million naira consignments of cocaine, tramadol, and “Canadian Loud.”
The “Calabash” Pregnancy and the Ivorian Courier
At the Seme land border, 35-year-old Rabi Muhammad was intercepted on her way to the Benin Republic. Officers grew suspicious of her “protruding tummy,” only to discover a fake baby bump fashioned from a pink calabash. Inside the makeshift womb, she had concealed 3,200 capsules of tramadol.
Simultaneously, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), 41-year-old Ivorian national Michael Gohouri was flagged during screening for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs. Under observation, Gohouri excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49kg. He confessed he was promised 5,000 Euros to deliver the pellets in Italy.
Real Estate Boss Unmasked
In a major blow to organized crime, NDLEA operatives arrested Mr. Kolapo Oladapo Raji, Chairman of Trans Fortress Global Resources. Raji, a 57-year-old real estate developer, was apprehended at his luxury apartment in Lekki after returning from the United Kingdom.
A search of his residence yielded:
- 89.20kg of Canadian Loud (a high-potency cannabis strain).
- A 2024 Toyota Hilux.
Raji reportedly admitted to entering the trade after seeing the massive profits generated from financing overseas drug shipments.
Nationwide Crackdown
The agency’s reach extended deep into the hinterlands this week:
1.Edo State: A 68-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Ogenewu, was arrested alongside an accomplice during a raid in Owan West LGA, where over 1,200kg of cannabis was destroyed.
2.Kogi State: 7,300 tramadol pills were found hidden inside sound systems on a commuter bus.
3.Rivers State: 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted at the Onne Port.
4.Bauchi & Ondo: Over 1,300kg of “skunk” was seized in separate forest and town raids.
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NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their vigilance, noting that the agency remains committed to both supply reduction and its “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) sensitization efforts in schools across the federation.
