National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered drug shipments valued at ₦4.4 billion concealed in the lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft.
The seizure occurred during a post-landing inspection of flight ET900, which arrived in Lagos from Addis Ababa on October 29, 2024. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the drugs were wrapped in nine polythene bags and hidden in waste containers in the rear lavatories.
Babafemi reported that approximately 30 individuals are currently being questioned regarding the incident. He stated, “NDLEA operatives have successfully thwarted an attempt by an international drug syndicate to smuggle 845 wraps of cocaine, totaling 18.72 kilograms, into Lagos.”
The agency revealed that the drugs originated in Brazil, were ingested by couriers, and were excreted in Addis Ababa before being transported to Nigeria. This operation was coordinated with airline authorities and other stakeholders at the airport.
In addition, Babafemi noted other recent drug seizures, including attempts to export 2.928 kg of cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol hidden in body cream containers and artworks to Australia, the UAE, and the UK. These efforts were also intercepted by NDLEA officers on October 28.
Additionally, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen worth ₦525 million during a joint operation with customs and other security agencies on October 29.
