NDLEA Nabs Indian Businessman, Three Nigerians Over ₦3.9bn Tramadol Seizure
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of an Indian national, Gupta Ravi Kumar, alongside three Nigerian citizens: Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode, and Bakare Korede Muheeb in connection with the interception of 2,248,000 tramadol pills valued at approximately ₦3.99 billion in street worth.
This disclosure was contained in an official statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja. The agency described the seizure as part of its intensified crackdown on transnational drug trafficking networks.
According to the statement, the illicit consignment was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, having been imported from Delhi, India, and fraudulently declared as multi-vitamins. The drugs were concealed in 114 cartons to evade detection.
NDLEA operatives had placed the shipment under surveillance before apprehending a clearing agent and two drivers attempting to move the consignment from the airport in two trucks. The Indian businessman was subsequently arrested while allegedly attempting to take delivery of the narcotics.
In separate enforcement actions, NDLEA officers at Lagos Terminal 2 arrested Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi with 900 grams of skunk cannabis concealed in crayfish. This led to the arrest of his alleged Qatar-based handler, Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna.
At Tincan Port, operatives recovered 81.7 kg of Canadian Loud cannabis and 1.2 kg of hashish oil from imported vehicles and spare parts, arresting two suspects. Another 65 kg of Loud was intercepted on the Third Mainland Bridge during a separate operation.
The agency also uncovered a Skuchies production facility in Ikorodu, seizing 6,029 bottles of the cannabis-infused drink and 4.2 kg of cannabis, and arresting the factory manager. Additional seizures of methamphetamine, tramadol, heroin, and other controlled substances were recorded in Anambra, Kano, Abuja, Yobe, Edo, Ogun, and Oyo States, with multiple arrests effected.
NDLEA noted that these operations reflect its multi-state and multi-border strategy to disrupt both the importation and domestic production of illicit drugs. Recent actions include the destruction of a 71.5-hectare cannabis farm in Taraba State, yielding 178,750 kg of skunk, and the arrest of a suspect, Alfa Andrew, in connection with the farm.
Between January and August 2025, the Oyo State Command arrested 280 suspects and secured 43 convictions for drug-related offences. The agency also dismantled an international organised criminal syndicate operating between Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the UAE, arresting three of its leaders in Lagos after intercepting a ₦5.3 billion cocaine shipment concealed in textile materials and local charms.
