The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 50-year-old widow who tried to smuggle cocaine by disguising it as a fake pregnancy. The arrest formed part of nationwide operations that uncovered more than 75,000 kilograms of illegal drugs.
Cocaine Concealed as Pregnancy
NDLEA operatives detained Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, a Lagos fashion designer, at a Lagos bus terminal while she prepared to board a vehicle to Abuja. Officers discovered 1.3 kilograms of cocaine strapped to her body. Later, they raided her Ago Palace residence and recovered 200 grams of cutting agents.
Ezewuike admitted that she inherited the drug trade from her late husband.
Seizures Across Nigeria
NDLEA operatives also made significant seizures in multiple states:
Lagos: They intercepted 90 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, hidden in kitchen sink cartons imported from the United States. The haul weighed 48.6 kilograms.
Adamawa: Officers seized 354,480 tramadol pills from the residence of a fleeing dealer.
Kano: Five suspects were arrested with 450,000 opioid pills, including codeine syrup.
Kogi: A trafficker was stopped at Idah waterside with tramadol and injectable opioids.
Zaria-Kano Road: Another suspect carried 7,000 tramadol capsules before being caught.
Kwara: Agents intercepted 2.2 tonnes of skunk from three trucks.
Delta and Ondo: Joint operations destroyed over 50 tonnes of cannabis plantations.
Edo and Taraba: Additional arrests and drug busts strengthened the crackdown.
Advocacy Through WADA Campaigns
Meanwhile, the agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. In addition to arrests, officers visited schools and traditional palaces to educate citizens on the dangers of drug abuse.
Marwa Praises Officers’ Efforts
NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended the officers for their courage and professionalism. Furthermore, he urged them to sustain enforcement efforts while expanding public education campaigns.