Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recovered ₦4.4 billion worth of cocaine hidden in the lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that landed in Lagos from Addis Ababa. The discovery was made during the post-landing cleaning of Flight ET900 on October 29, 2024.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, agents found 9 polythene bags with 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72kg in the waste collectors of two rear lavatories. At least 30 suspects have been questioned in connection with the operation.
“The international drug cartel operating between Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria wanted to bring the cocaine into Lagos. But NDLEA operatives foiled their plan, thanks to quick response and collaboration with airport authorities,” Babafemi said.
Preliminary investigation shows that the cartel used a network of couriers to bring the drugs from Brazil to Ethiopia where the cocaine was ingested and later excreted by the smugglers in Addis Ababa. From there, other traffickers attempted to fly the consignment into Nigeria. The collaboration between NDLEA, Ethiopian Airlines and other airport officials was key to intercepting the drugs before they got to the Nigerian market.
Apart from this big one, NDLEA officers also disrupted several other attempts within the same week. Agents intercepted packages containing mix of drugs—2.928kg of cocaine, cannabis and tramadol 225mg—packaged as body creams and art pieces. The drugs were destined for Australia, UAE and UK using courier companies in Lagos. The packages were flagged by the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation on October 28 and were stopped before they left the country.
The next day, October 29, NDLEA operatives at Apapa Seaport in Lagos made another big seizure. Working with Customs Service and other security agencies, they intercepted a container from India with 754,000 tablets of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225mg worth ₦525 million.
These seizures show NDLEA’s commitment to drug trafficking across Nigerian borders. Babafemi said collaboration with international and local agencies is key to breaking the networks behind the smuggling.
With the agency’s heightened alertness and partnership with transport companies and other stakeholders, NDLEA is telling drug traffickers that Nigeria’s borders are not easy to breach.
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