The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two consignments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or Colos, concealed in consolidated cargoes from the United Kingdom, while two other shipments hidden in music speakers were recovered from motor parks in Lagos.
At least seven suspects linked to the seized consignments were arrested during the operations, according to the agency.
At the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a UK-bound consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.
A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after allegedly showing up with a secret collection code relayed by his brother based in the United Kingdom to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance.
A follow-up operation involving another UK shipment led to the arrest of Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, who was allegedly identified as the designated recipient of another consignment containing 12.25kg of Colorado.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that his brother in the UK sent the consignment to him.
Meanwhile, operatives of the NDLEA Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a music speaker rigged with three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza Maza, Lagos.
The consignment was allegedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and ultimately Liberia.
A tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, 41, and the alleged owner of the consignment, Obasi Ugochuckwu, 46, were arrested following a sting operation at a nearby eatery.
In a separate operation at Iddo Park, Lagos, Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry was arrested on Friday, September 11, while allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
In Delta State, separate operations in Ughelli and Asaba resulted in the seizure of ampoules of pentazocine injection, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam (Hypnox) and MDMA, popularly known as Molly.
Some of the drugs were allegedly concealed in music speakers, while two suspects, Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi, were arrested.
In Kano State, NDLEA operatives raided Sabon Gari and arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Saidu Adamu, with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.
Similarly, a stop-and-search operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia road led to the seizure of 1,700 tablets of diazepam allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread. A suspect, Habibu Sabitu, 28, was arrested.
In Plateau State, Chinedu Uzor, 51, was arrested at Katako Market, Jos, with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
The agency also sustained its crackdown on illicit cannabis cultivation, destroying 4,832.56kg of skunk from cannabis farms in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest in Ovia South West, Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas of Edo State.
A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operations on Friday, September 11.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, on Wednesday, September 9.
The operation led to the recovery of 186kg of skunk concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ABJ 917 FV.
A 58-year-old suspect, Paul Ogbuwala, was arrested and allegedly planning to transport the consignment to Jos for onward distribution.
In Kaduna State, a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
In Bayelsa State, four suspects were arrested at Ovom, Yenagoa, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.
Those arrested were Godwoman Gboriye, 70; Motombo Silver, 44; Pere Andrew, 39; and Keme Andrew, 43.
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Beyond seizures and arrests, the agency said its commands and formations continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
Activities included an enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Mezube Islamiyya Academy in Tudun Wada, Kano; an advocacy visit to the management of Cross River State College of Health Technology, Calabar; and a visit by Rikkos traditional rulers to the NDLEA Academy in Jos.
The Zone 4 Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Commending officers and men of DOGI, MMIA and the Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa, Kano and Ondo Commands, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
Marwa directed officers to continue shutting down channels allegedly being exploited by drug cartels, including airports, seaports, land borders and areas where cannabis is cultivated.
