Nigerian authorities have seized 19.4 kilograms (42.77 pounds) of cocaine, valued at 4.66 billion naira ($2.93 million), from a passenger arriving at Lagos airport from Ethiopia. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made the announcement on Tuesday, marking one of the agency’s significant drug busts in recent months.
The arrested individual, a 48-year-old Nigerian businessman, had previously been convicted of drug trafficking last year but managed to avoid jail by paying a fine. On September 18, the suspect was apprehended while allegedly carrying 817 wraps of cocaine, concealed in his luggage. This discovery underscores the agency’s ongoing battle against narcotics smuggling through Nigeria’s busiest airport.
Nigeria, with over 200 million people, has evolved from merely being a transit point for drug cartels smuggling drugs from South America to Europe, to becoming a major destination for trafficked drugs. The country’s strategic position and its growing domestic drug market have made it a key focus for international drug syndicates.
NDLEA chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to combating the drug trade, stating, “The agency is determined to dismantle the operations of drug cartels working within Nigeria. Our efforts will continue to intensify to keep the country safe from the threats posed by these criminal networks.”
This incident highlights the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to tighten security and disrupt the activities of organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking, a persistent challenge the agency is committed to tackling across Nigeria.