NDLEA Intercepts Netherlands-Bound Drugs Concealed in Water Purifiers, Makes Major Seizures Nationwide

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a shipment of hard drugs concealed inside water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, as part of a series of successful anti-drug operations carried out across the country.

According to the agency, operatives discovered the illicit substances at a courier facility in Lagos on May 26, 2026. The seized drugs included three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, which had been carefully hidden inside water purifiers in an attempt to evade security screening.

The agency disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

In a separate operation in Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, following the discovery of a massive cache of drugs at their residence in the Gonin Gora area.

The agency said officers recovered 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing a total of 1,246 kilograms during the operation conducted on May 24. The arrests formed part of the agency’s intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt the supply of illicit substances across the country.

Also in Kaduna, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, who was allegedly transporting 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition to Katsina State.

The agency revealed that both the suspect and the ammunition had been handed over to the relevant security authorities for further investigation and necessary action.

In Niger State, acting on intelligence reports, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse located in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27. During the operation, officers recovered 457 kilograms of skunk stored in the facility.

Following the raid, a 46-year-old suspect, Godwin Zakka, was arrested at his residence in the Gbeganu area of Minna in connection with the recovered drugs. Investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the network involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, in Enugu State, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway on May 28. The vehicle, bearing registration number JAY-158-YF and reportedly heading to Taraba State, was searched by operatives.

The search led to the recovery of 22,000 tablets of tramadol, 100 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 grams of bromazepam. A suspect identified as James Maigari Wisdom was subsequently arrested in connection with the seizure.

NDLEA Sustains Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign aimed at reducing drug demand through public education.

During the week, awareness programmes were conducted in schools, communities, places of worship, and workplaces across several states. Institutions visited included Government Secondary School, Adiabo in Cross River State; St. Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari in Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia in Anambra State.

The agency noted that the campaign remains a critical component of its strategy to curb drug abuse while maintaining pressure on traffickers and distributors of illicit substances.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers and personnel involved in the operations, particularly those from the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu State commands, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.

Marwa praised the officers for their commitment to both enforcement and public enlightenment efforts, urging them to remain vigilant and dedicated to the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.