NDLEA intercepts colos shipments from UK
NDLEA Intercepts Major Shipments of Synthetic Cannabis from the UK
Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized multiple shipments of synthetic cannabis, commonly referred to as “Colorado” or “Colos,” concealed in cargo from the United Kingdom. The agency announced the interceptions on Sunday, detailing their efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The first significant bust occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, where agents identified a consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20 kilograms. This operation led to the arrest of Abideen Jide Salami, a real estate agent, on September 9, 2026, as he attempted to collect the package using a secret code sent by his brother in the UK.
A follow-up investigation resulted in the arrest of 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who was found in possession of 12.25 kilograms of the drug. Kadiri indicated to NDLEA operatives that the package was also sent from his brother in the UK.
In additional operations in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a shipment hidden within a music speaker at a motor park in Maza Maza, which was intended for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and ultimately Liberia. Tour agent Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, 41, and the package’s owner, Obasi Ugochukwu, 46, were arrested as part of the sting operation.
Another arrest took place at Iddo Park, Lagos, where Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry was apprehended while allegedly preparing to dispatch 2.1 kilograms of Colorado to Kano.
In Delta State, operations in Ughelli and Asaba resulted in the confiscation of various illegal substances, including pentazocine, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam (Hypnox), and MDMA, the latter known as Molly. Two suspects were taken into custody during these operations.
In Kano, a raid in Sabon Gari led to the apprehension of a 20-year-old man, Saidu Adamu, who was found with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425 kilograms. Additionally, 1,700 tablets of diazepam were seized, concealed in loaves of bread, and a 28-year-old suspect, Habibu Sabitu, was arrested.
Further enforcement actions in Plateau State resulted in the arrest of 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor at Katako Market, where he was found with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
Authorities also reported the destruction of 4,832.56 kilograms of skunk cannabis from farms in Edo State, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Sunday Segun. In Ondo State, a 58-year-old man, Paul Ogbuwala, was arrested with 186 kilograms of skunk concealed in a vehicle, allegedly intended for distribution in Jos.
In Kaduna State, Hannah Michael was apprehended with 369.6 kilograms of cannabis. In a separate incident in Bayelsa State, four individuals, including 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, were arrested with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876 kilograms.
The NDLEA has also reiterated its commitment to the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, involving sensitization activities in schools, community centers, and local government offices nationwide. Recently, the agency hosted an awareness lecture for students at Mezube Islamiyya Academy in Kano and engaged with the management of the Cross River State College of Health Technology.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the efforts of operatives across the country, urging a continued focus on dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing the distribution of illegal substances.
