…Uncovers skuchies factory in Ikorodu, arrests couple with 19kg meth in Anambra, and seizes tons of cannabis nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, alongside three Nigerian accomplices — Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode, and Bakare Korede Muheeb — in connection with the interception of over 2.2 million tramadol pills at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The consignment, worth an estimated ₦3.99 billion, was disguised as multi-vitamins and imported from Delhi, India aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight. It arrived on Monday, September 8, 2025, in 114 cartons but was placed under NDLEA surveillance.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers attempting to move the shipment out of the airport in trucks on Thursday. A follow-up operation on Friday led to the arrest of Kumar, who allegedly came to take delivery of the consignment.
“The tramadol seizure is a major breakthrough in our war against drug trafficking. We will not relent in dismantling criminal networks threatening national security,” Babafemi said.
Other Major Drug Busts Nationwide
- At Lagos Airport: NDLEA officers intercepted Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi, a passenger on a Qatar Airline flight, with 900 grams of skunk hidden in crayfish. His confession led to the arrest of Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna, who was still within the airport vicinity. A subsequent search of Uchenna’s hotel room yielded another 200 grams of the drug.
- At Tincan Port, Lagos: A joint examination uncovered 161 parcels of Canadian Loud (81.7kg) and 1.2kg of hashish oil concealed in a container of spare parts and vehicles imported from Canada. Two suspects, John Ochigbo (53) and Okeke Kingsley (26), were arrested. Another 65kg Loud consignment was later intercepted on Third Mainland Bridge, with Abubakar Ibrahim (42) arrested.
- Courier Companies in Lagos: NDLEA operatives seized six grams of meth hidden in a picture frame bound for Gabon and 1.1kg of Loud concealed in video players heading to the UAE.
- Ikorodu, Lagos: Officers raided a factory producing skuchies — a mixture of cannabis and blackcurrant drink — recovering 6,029 bottles, 4,232kg of cannabis, and arresting factory manager Joy Awosika. Another suspect, Akeem Oriola, was caught in Mushin with 26kg of skunk.
- Abuja: A dispatch rider, Godsplan Vincent (29), was arrested with 50.7g of cocaine and 66g of Loud.
- Anambra: A couple, Nzube and Ebele Onyedika, were arrested with 13.9kg methamphetamine and 5.3kg skunk. Another suspect, Nnamchi Tochukwu, was caught with meth, tramadol, swinol, heroin, and skunk.
- Kano: Musa Shuaibu (38) was caught with 100,000 tramadol pills along Zaria–Kano road. NDLEA also seized 196 litres of Akuskura, 34.1kg of skunk, 493 tubes of rubber solution, and 25 litres of ‘suck and die’ from suspects in Kano.
- Yobe: Mohammed Auwal was arrested after 22.1kg of cannabis was recovered from his residence.
- Ogun (border operation): Three traffickers were caught with 394kg of skunk at Imeko.
- Edo: Over 16,966kg of cannabis was destroyed on a 6.7-hectare plantation in Ovia South West, while 1,176kg processed cannabis was recovered. Four suspects were arrested.
NDLEA Chairman Commends Operatives
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers for their “dogged efforts” across Lagos, Abuja, Edo, Anambra, Kano, Yobe, and Ogun, urging them to sustain the momentum.
“This is another clear message to criminal cartels that Nigeria is not a safe haven for drug traffickers. Our balanced approach of law enforcement and public sensitisation will continue to guide the fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa stated.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in Enugu, Oyo, Katsina, Niger, and Ogun states, targeting schools, mosques, parks, and communities.
