NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden In Mortar, Backpack Bound For China, Italy

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted cocaine concealed in a traditional local mortar and a backpack billed for China and Italy.

The NDLEA also arrested a notorious drug dealer in Rivers State and a suspected supplier of narcotics to bandits in Zamfara.

The agency said operatives of its Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) uncovered the illicit consignments during an operation at a Lagos logistics company on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to the NDLEA, 250 grams of cocaine had been factory-fitted into the base of a local mortar packaged for export to China, while another 500 grams of the Class A drug was hidden in the false bottom of a backpack being shipped to Italy.

In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested 38-year-old Ugo Gift Okonkwo, described as a notorious drug dealer, during an intelligence-led operation at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, July 26.
Recovered from the suspect were quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup.

The agency also intercepted a truck loaded with 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 3,960 kilograms during a stop-and-search operation at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Monday, July 27.

The truck driver, Chinedu Nwanze, 40, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Delta State, officers recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KUJ 26 DV along the Kwale-Ughelli Expressway on Sunday, July 26.

Another major arrest was recorded in Nasarawa State, where a 64-year-old suspect, Joseph Nwaeke, was apprehended on Tuesday, July 28, at Asso Angwan Muazu in the Karu area with 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.

In Zamfara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 27-year-old Sani Umar along the Zaria-Gusau Highway while allegedly transporting 7,400 pills of tramadol 225mg suspected to be supplies for criminal elements operating in the region.