NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs concealed in boarding passes

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs hidden in flight boarding passes.

In a post on X alongside photos of boarding passes, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said operatives in Lagos recently uncovered the deceptive method of packaging dangerous substances.

He urged parents, guardians, and the public to be extra cautious, particularly concerning packages delivered by dispatch riders, noting that traffickers are increasingly using everyday items to evade detection.

“These may look like ordinary flight boarding passes, but hidden inside them are harmful substances such as Colos,” he wrote.

“This is one of the new techniques used to distribute illicit drugs across city centres, as uncovered by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.

“The merchants of death are becoming more creative with their packaging, but the NDLEA remains several steps ahead.”

Additionally, in a statement on Sunday, Babafemi said the culprit was one Oluchi Celestine, who was nabbed in Lekki on November 18 with 2.6 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in branded containers and some concealed in flight boarding cards.

The spokesperson said in another operation on the same day, NDLEA officers arrested two members of a drug trafficking organisation in Onitsha, Anambra state when they showed up to take delivery of 5.40 kilogrammes of methamphetamine; 10.70 kilogrammes of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis; 16 grammes of cocaine; 200 grammes of phenacetin; 200 grammes of methcathinone and 100 grammes of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.

“The first to show up at a logistics company in Onitsha for the collection of the consignments was 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu who was promptly arrested while shortly after, another member of the syndicate, 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Michael Ndibuisi showed up and was equally arrested,” the statement reads.

“The consignments had arrived the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja-Lagos with airway bill number 118-12882973 arriving from South Africa on a Tag-Angola flight on 13th November 2025 and was immediately seized based on credible intelligence.

“A follow up sting operation was thereafter organized in Onitsha, Anambra state where the recipients: Uzochukwu and Ndibuisi were arrested.”

In another operation on November 20 at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to conceal 48 pellets and a block of cocaine with a gross weight of 2.30 kilogrammes packed among other auto parts going to Gabon.

“Following the arrest of a freight agent Ameh Solomon who presented the consignment for export, a follow up at ASMPDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Lagos led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface,” the statement added.

“In Kogi state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 17th November intercepted a trailer conveying 4,700 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis at Kabba.

“Three suspects: Solomon Dauda, Friday Garba and Daniel Danladi accompanying the consignment were arrested while a follow up operation in Jos, Plateau state on Friday 21st November led to the arrest of the kingpin who owns the trailer and the illicit drug consignment, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.”

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended the officers and enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.