NDLEA busts international drug ring, nabs Thai lady at Lagos Airport with illicit drugs

…Intercepts UK-Bound Drug Shipments Concealed in Crated Cartons

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled an attempt by a 24-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud—a synthetic strain of cannabis—into Nigeria. The illicit consignment, weighing 46.60 kilograms, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest, stating that officers discovered the drugs hidden in her luggage.

“The suspect, who confessed to being a hired drug trafficker, was apprehended on Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha at the arrival hall of Terminal 2, Lagos airport,” Babafemi said.

Wimonnat admitted that a drug cartel had recruited her and promised a payment of $3,000 upon the successful delivery of the drugs in Nigeria.

In a related operation, NDLEA officers also thwarted an attempt by a drug syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud, weighing 42.2 kg, to London. The drugs were cleverly concealed within the walls of crated cartons at the airport’s export shed.

“Three suspects—a freight agent and two dispatch riders—were initially arrested in connection with the shipment. Further investigations led to the arrest of the mastermind, Samuel Bitris, at his residence in Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos,” Babafemi added.

At the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA officers intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of Tamol (a brand of Tramadol 225mg) during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Thursday, February 20.

In other raids across the country: In Nasarawa State, two suspects—Bello Adamu (40) and Pius Azuka (42)—were arrested in Kokona/Keffi with 517 kg of skunk on Saturday, February 22.

In Niger State, Usman Ruwa (43) and Yunusa Haruna (45) were nabbed while transporting 62.7 kg of skunk in a Toyota Corolla along Sabon Asibiti Road, Kontagora, on Thursday, February 20.

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization program, targeting schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Among the institutions visited last week were:

Maku Grammar School, Tapa, Oyo State

Comprehensive Secondary School, Orogwe, Imo State

Jama’atu Islamiyya Secondary School, Ankpa, Kogi State

Owerri-Aba Primary School, Ugwunagba, Imo State

Marwa Commends Officers for Operational Success

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers of MMIA, PHPC, Niger, and Nasarawa commands for their efforts in combating drug trafficking.

“Their operational successes and commitment to both drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies are highly commendable,” Marwa stated.

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