The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted cocaine and other illicit drugs valued at over ₦10 billion in multiple operations nationwide, while also recovering 401 rounds of military-grade ammunition concealed in kegs of palm oil.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, a 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a clothing dealer at Balogun Market, was arrested for allegedly attempting to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the walls of cartons used to package food items bound for the United Kingdom.

Babafemi revealed that the cocaine consignment was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, July 22, by NDLEA operatives.

Three cargo agents, Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, were initially arrested during investigations. Their arrest led to the apprehension of Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment for shipment.

Further investigations later identified Onuigbo as the alleged mastermind of the syndicate. He was subsequently arrested on Thursday, July 23, while reportedly attempting to dispatch another cocaine shipment to the UK.