Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have disrupted an intricate drug trafficking operation by intercepting multiple shipments ingeniously concealed in prayer beads, board games, and female clothing, destined for markets in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Poland.
During an intelligence-led raid at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, two suspects were apprehended.
Among them was a 43-year-old businesswoman found with 190 parcels of tramadol and a 60-year-old man caught attempting to ship concealed skunk to New York.
Investigations further revealed that traffickers were smuggling narcotics by repurposing everyday items such as Vitamin C bottles and garments. Shockingly, 230 grams of cocaine were also discovered, hidden in prayer beads and the soles of locally made shoes.
Critics argue that while NDLEA’s operations claim to be robust, the elaborate concealment methods expose glaring systemic security weaknesses and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hamper broader drug control efforts.
Despite these busts, the persistence and ingenuity of these criminal networks underscore an urgent need for reform and stronger oversight from federal security agencies to truly dismantle the drug trade and restore public trust.
