Nigeria intensifies drug enforcement through international pacts and major seizures

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has intensified its crackdown on illicit substances through major seizures, laboratory dismantlements, and international cooperation. In Abu Dhabi, the NDLEA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates’ National Drug Enforcement Authority to enhance intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement along the Nigeria-UAE corridor. This follows the interception of approximately 354.7kg of drugs destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026.

Domestically, the agency has uncovered large-scale production and transit operations. Operatives dismantled industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratories in Ogun and Oyo States, seizing quantities valued at approximately $362.9 million. In Lagos, the NDLEA intercepted 2.55 million opioid tablets, including Tramaking and Tapentadol, imported from India and Bangladesh.

Additional enforcement actions included the destruction of cannabis plantations in Edo State and the arrest of a suspect in Enugu who attempted to travel to Portugal with 72 cocaine wraps ingested. The agency continues to target both the local production of synthetic drugs and the transit of narcotics through major Nigerian hubs.