The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Ezeokoli Sylver, a 59-year-old businessman based in Brazil, for attempting to smuggle 700 grams of cocaine into Nigeria.
Sylver was arrested on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the E-Arrival Hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
The street value of a gram of pure cocaine is about $81 (141,750), making the value of the 700 gram $56,700 (N99.225m)
A body scan revealed foreign objects concealed in Sylver’s stomach. Following his arrest, he was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 29 wraps of cocaine weighing 700 grams.
The suspect claimed he had lived in Brazil for 35 years, operating an African store that sells provisions, shoes, and clothing.
He admitted to purchasing the illicit drugs in São Paulo to sell in Nigeria, intending to raise funds to expand his business operations.
On November 26, 2024, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments of drugs at a courier company in Lagos.
One package, weighing 200 grams of cocaine, was concealed in local fabrics. Another contained 40 ampoules of pentazocine injections, weighing 110 grams, hidden inside cartons. Both consignments were destined for the United Kingdom.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects—Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27)—on November 28, 2024. The suspects were caught with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injections and 3,135,000 pills of Exol-5 at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road.
Meanwhile, in Ogun State, NDLEA operatives seized 472 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a highly potent strain of cannabis, at Idi-Iroko in the Imeko area on November 25, 2024.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud at Ilesan Beach on November 28, 2024. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was apprehended, and four vehicles intended for transporting the drugs were confiscated.
In Edo State, a raid on Ukuwague Street, Benin City, led to the arrest of two suspects, Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42), and the seizure of 185.6 kilograms of cannabis. A Toyota Previa bus used for transporting the contraband was also impounded.
As part of its ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, NDLEA continued its sensitization programs across the country. Educational campaigns were conducted in schools such as Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Wambai, Kano, and God’s Time College, Ikole Ekiti. Marketplaces, worship centres, and communities also hosted awareness programs to educate Nigerians on the dangers of drug abuse.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, lauded the agency’s officers for their diligent efforts.
He praised the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, and Edo Commands for their successful operations, emphasizing the agency’s balanced focus on reducing both the supply and demand of illicit drugs.
Marwa reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to making Nigeria drug-free through continued enforcement and education.
