The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student, for attempting to ship 5.8 kilograms of cocaine to Malaysia. The illicit substances were hidden inside nine cartons of Orijin Bitters. Onyeka, who studies at the University of Putra, was captured in Anambra State following the identification of four initial suspects in Lagos who helped coordinate the shipment.
In an unrelated incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, authorities detained 67-year-old Mary Yetunde Barek. A search of the Nigerian-British caregiver’s luggage revealed 13 kilograms of cocaine fashioned to look like plantain peels. She was intercepted while attempting to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic.
The NDLEA also executed several other significant operations. In Taraba State, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke was caught with nearly 44,000 Tramadol capsules hidden in fuel tanks. Additional raids resulted in drug seizures in Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe states, involving various substances such as methamphetamine, skunk, and cannabis sativa. Alongside these enforcement actions, the agency continued its nationwide advocacy through the War Against Drug Abuse campaign, educating students and community members about the dangers of illicit substances.
NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) praised the officers involved in these successful operations, encouraging them to maintain their momentum in curbing drug trafficking and promoting public awareness.
