Nigeria drug crackdown expands, assets seized

Timeline

1. 2 days ago

   [CRIME] 9 sources

   Nigeria NDLEA targets meth labs, arrests cartel, seizes 2 bn tramadol pills

   NDLEA chief Buba Marwa urges traditional rulers, parents and community leaders to thwart drug cartels after industrial‑scale meth labs were uncovered in Ogun and Oyo, while the agency reports seizing over 2 bn

2. 6 days ago

   [CRIME] 6 sources

   Nigeria's NDLEA Seizes Over 1.6 Million Tramadol Pills and Arrests Drug Warehouse Couple

   Nigeria's NDLEA seized 1.63 million tramadol pills, intercepted cannabis shipments, and arrested a drug‑warehouse couple in Edo, seizing over 400 kg of illicit drugs.

3. 9 days ago

   [CRIME] 5 sources

   Nigeria's NDLEA Declares Odogwu and Three Associates Wanted, Freezes ₦9.84bn Assets

   Nigeria's NDLEA has declared alleged kingpin Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna (“Odogwu”) and three associates wanted for a meth lab, seizing ₦9.84 billion in assets and four SUVs after a court order.

4. 13 days ago

   [CRIME] 12 sources

   South African woman arrested with 5.75 kg heroin at Abuja airport amid $10.3 bn cannabis seizure

   NDLEA arrested a South African woman with 5.75 kg heroin at Abuja airport and seized $10.3 bn worth of Canadian cannabis at Lagos port, alongside methamphetamine and skunk drug interceptions.

5. 15 days ago

   [CRIME] 14 sources

   Nigeria arrests three Mexicans in $480 bn meth lab bust

   Nigeria’s NDLEA busted a $480 bn meth lab, arresting three Mexican experts, six Nigerians and a drug kingpin; they were arraigned on 11 charges and remanded pending a July trial.

6. 16 days ago

   [HEALTH] 4 sources

   Nigeria drug officials call for traditional and community leaders to curb rising abuse

   Nigeria’s NDLEA chief and Zamfara governor’s wife urge traditional leaders, health workers and security agencies to unite against rising drug abuse and announce a new rehabilitation centre.

7. 19 days ago

   [HEALTH] 3 sources

   Nigeria battles rising health and security threats from illicit smuggling

   Nigeria’s smuggling of counterfeit medicines, narcotics and expired foods threatens public health, fuels crime and finances terrorism, exploiting porous borders and weak enforcement.

8. 20 days ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Nigeria's NDLEA busts cannabis farms in Edo and seizes 13 kg cocaine at Lagos airport

   Nigeria's NDLEA destroyed three cannabis farms in Edo, arrested 42 suspects and seized over 4.9 t of drugs, then seized 13 kg of cocaine hidden in fake plantains at Lagos airport, arresting a 67‑year‑old woman.

9. 20 days ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Delta State Police arrest 202 suspects in Asaba brothel and drug raid

   Delta State Police in Asaba, Nigeria, arrested 202 suspects for brothel and drug offences and impounded vehicles in an intelligence‑led raid, pledging continued crackdown.

10. 20 days ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources

    Nigeria and Ghana Governments Roll Out Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

    Nigeria's Kwara State and Ghana announced youth‑focused drug abuse prevention measures, including community outreach, compulsory screenings and expanded education and job programs on World Drug Day.

11. 20 days ago

    [CRIME] 16 sources

    Nigerian‑British grandmother arrested with 13 kg cocaine at Lagos airport

    Nigeria’s NDLEA arrested 67‑year‑old Nigerian‑British grandmother Mary Barek at Lagos airport with 13 kg of cocaine hidden in fake plantain peels; a linked raid seized 5.8 kg of cocaine in Orijin Bitters and sp

12. 22 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA flags vehicle auction scams, online drug sale surge

    NDLEA warned that vehicle auction offers are fake and reported a surge in online drug sales in Osun, seizing 13 t of drugs, making 573 arrests and securing 49 convictions.

13. 26 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Ghana police seize drugs, pistol and cash in Ashanti region raid

    Ghana police arrested four men in an Ashanti region raid, seizing a loaded pistol, narcotics, and GH₵5,647.40 as part of a national anti‑drug effort.

14. 27 days ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources

    Iran and Nigeria grapple with expanding drug addiction crises

    Iran’s 3.8 million‑strong drug crisis and Nigeria’s enforcement‑focused policy both highlight rising addiction, synthetic drug proliferation, and severe treatment gaps.

15. 27 days ago

    [CRIME] 11 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA seizes $12 bn cannabis haul and arrests China‑bound businesswoman with 7.5 kg of cocaine

    Nigeria's NDLEA busted a China‑bound cocaine smuggler, seized a $12 bn cannabis shipment, dismantled a drug‑planting syndicate and destroyed 12 tonnes of drugs, with plans to replace fines by long prison terms.

16. 29 days ago

    [CRIME] 11 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA seizes $12 bn of drugs, arrests China‑bound cocaine trafficker and hundreds of suspects

    Nigeria's NDLEA seized $12 bn in cannabis, intercepted 7.5 kg of cocaine from a China‑bound traveler, seized over half a million tramadol pills and arrested hundreds of drug suspects nationwide.

17. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources

    Ghana steps up fight against rising drug abuse in schools

    Ghana's education ministry and NACOC are launching tighter inspections, bag‑search powers and teacher training to curb rising drug abuse among school students.

18. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Ghana Police Arrest 186 in Ashanti Region Human‑Trafficking and Drug Crackdown

    Ghana’s police special ops team arrested 186 people – 86 Ghanaians, 96 Nigerians and 4 Togolese – in an Ashanti Region raid targeting a human‑trafficking and drug network, rescuing several victims.

19. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 14 sources

    Lagos Police seize truck of military uniforms and suspected drugs

    Lagos police seized a truck carrying 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of suspected drugs, arresting three to four suspects and warning of potential misuse by criminal groups.

20. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA arrests two elderly men for supplying drugs to Abia school students

    Nigeria's NDLEA arrested two elderly men for supplying opioids to secondary‑school students in Abia and linked the case to a week of nationwide drug seizures and raids.

21. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Katsina Police Arrest Drug Trafficker with 2,000 Diazepam Tablets

    Katsina police arrested Jibrin Salisu, seized 2,000 diazepam tablets, and later detained supplier Faith Eze while pursuing an at‑large accomplice “Gurgu.”

22. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA Destroys 25 tonnes of Seized Drugs and Seizes Cartel Assets

    Nigeria's NDLEA destroyed over 25 t of seized drugs in Imo State and began seizing cartel assets, using civil actions to forfeit proceeds during World Drug Day events.

23. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    Nigeria and UNODC Launch Weeklong Anti‑Drug Campaign Ahead of World Drug Day

    Nigeria’s NDLEA and UNODC launched a weeklong anti‑drug campaign in Abuja ahead of World Drug Day, focusing on synthetic drugs, digital markets and community outreach.

24. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources

    Nigeria's NAFDAC warns of drug misuse and rising counterfeit products

    Nigeria's NAFDAC warns that misuse of medicines and a surge in counterfeit cosmetics, food and medicines pose serious public‑health risks, urging rational use, reporting of adverse reactions and vigilance.

25. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA Generates N6.15 bn from Asset Auction and Expands Drug‑Destruction Efforts

    Nigeria's NDLEA raised N6.15 bn from an asset auction and, praised by Senator Joseph Ikpea, destroyed large drug caches in Edo, underscoring robust anti‑drug actions.

26. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA sells seized drug trafficker assets for over N6 bn

    Nigeria's NDLEA auctioned four seized drug‑trafficker properties, raising over N6 bn, including a N5.9 bn hotel sale, to boost government revenue and public confidence in the rule of law.

27. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria uncovers massive methamphetamine lab in Abidagba Forest

    Nigeria’s NDLEA busted a $363 million meth lab in the Abidagba Forest, arresting ten suspects—including three Mexicans—signalling a shift toward large‑scale drug production and heightening security worries over

28. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Delta State Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest Counterfeit‑Dollar and Drug Suspects

    Delta State police rescued a kidnap victim and arrested cultist suspects, then seized counterfeit dollars, drugs and weapons in multiple operations across the state.

29. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria Calls for Tougher Penalties and School‑Based Campaigns in Fight Against Drug Trafficking

    Nigeria’s NDLEA pushes life sentences, a national offender register and rehab centres, while urging school‑based drug‑prevention campaigns as youths account for over half of drug arrests.

30. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA and Police Conduct Nationwide Drug Bust, Arrest Over 20 Suspects

    Nigeria's NDLEA and Delta State police seized large drug stocks and arrested over 20 traffickers in coordinated raids across multiple states.

31. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA Intercepts Massive Opioid Shipment and Arrests Grandfather and Female Traffickers

    Nigeria's NDLEA seized 320,000 tramadol capsules and other opioids in Taraba, arresting a 75‑year‑old man and multiple female drug traffickers across several states.

32. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Delta State Police seize large drug haul and arrest multiple traffickers

    Delta State Police arrested several drug traffickers, seizing thousands of Tramadol sachets, MDMA, Rohypnol and other substances in two June 3 operations.

33. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Police seize narcotics, ammunition and casino machines in Ghana's Upper East Region

    Ghana’s Upper East police arrested 80 people and seized drugs, ammunition, unregistered bikes and casino machines in a coordinated operation.

34. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Malaysian Woman Arrested in Nigeria for Smuggling 31kg Cannabis

    A 63‑year‑old Malaysian woman was arrested in Lagos with 31 kg of synthetic cannabis after traveling via Thailand and Dubai; her daughter allegedly funded the trip, and Nigerian and Malaysian police are now co‑

35. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 13 sources

    Nigeria’s NDLEA Seizes Drugs, Ammunition in Nationwide Crackdown

    Nigeria’s NDLEA seized military ammunition, drugs hidden in Dutch‑shipped water purifiers, and large cannabis caches, arresting multiple suspects in a nationwide crackdown.

36. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    Nigerian Customs Seizes Drugs, Uniforms and Stops Petrol Discharge

    Nigerian Customs seized N259 million in military uniforms and cannabis at the Idiroko border and later halted the discharge of 81,200 t of petrol at Lagos’ TinCan terminal, leading to a clash with security oper

37. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Nigeria Customs seizes bus with military uniforms and synthetic cannabis

    Nigeria Customs intercepted an unregistered luxury bus on the Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway, seizing military camouflage uniforms, synthetic cannabis and other goods worth over N259 million and arresting two sus­

38. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Ghana Police Arrest 74 Suspects in Upper East Region Drug Crackdown

    Ghana police seized suspected drugs, motorbikes and arrested 74 people – including nationals from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo – in two raids in the Upper East Region.

39. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Nigeria's NDLEA detains Chinese national with 31 kg cannabis at Lagos airport

    NDLEA busted a 63‑year‑old Chinese woman with 31 kg of synthetic cannabis at Lagos airport and seized over 1.8 million Tapentadol tablets, part of a wider drug crackdown across Nigeria.

40. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Ghana police seize Indian hemp and tramadol, arrest 24 in Tamale

    Ghana's Northern Region police arrested 24 people and seized Indian hemp, tramadol and motorbikes during a May 20 anti‑drug raid in Tamale.

41. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources

    Nigeria Customs cracks down on drug and contraband shipments in major seizures

    Nigeria Customs seized tons of synthetic cannabis, cocaine, meth and other contraband in 2026, and earlier confiscated over 500 cartons of tramadol and unlisted