Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of high-potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, in a major crackdown that also led to the arrest of suspected traffickers and the seizure of over 1.7 tonnes of narcotics across multiple states.
The agency, in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Sunday said the illicit drug consignments, comprising three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, were carefully hidden inside water purifier machines shipped into Lagos from the European country.
According to Babafemi, the drugs were discovered and seized during an intelligence-led operation at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
He said the seizure underscored the determination of drug trafficking syndicates to deploy increasingly sophisticated concealment methods in a bid to beat security checks.
The spokesman stated, “Our operatives continue to demonstrate vigilance, professionalism and commitment in tracking and intercepting illicit drug consignments regardless of the concealment strategy employed by traffickers.”
He added, “The discovery of ketamine and MDMA hidden inside water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands highlights the desperate measures being adopted by criminal networks, but it also confirms that our officers remain ahead of them.”
Babafemi noted that the agency’s surveillance and interdiction mechanisms had been strengthened to detect narcotics concealed in cargoes, courier parcels and other imported items.
“We will continue to disrupt drug trafficking routes, dismantle criminal networks and ensure that illicit substances do not get into our communities,” he said.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple identified as Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, 38, following the recovery of 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in the Gonin Gora area of the state.
Babafemi described the seizure as one of the significant successes recorded by the agency in recent operations.
“The recovery of 100 jumbo bags of skunk with a gross weight of 1,246 kilograms from a residential premises in Kaduna demonstrates the scale of illicit drug activities being carried out by some criminal elements and the need for sustained enforcement actions,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman disclosed that operatives also recorded another breakthrough in Kaduna when officers on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway at Jere intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, with 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition allegedly being transported to Katsina State.
According to him, the suspect and the recovered ammunition were immediately handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and necessary action.
“The interception of military-grade ammunition during routine patrol reflects the importance of inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing in addressing security challenges confronting the country,” Babafemi stated.
The NDLEA spokesman further disclosed that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd.), had commended officers and personnel of the agency for the successful arrests and seizures.
According to Babafemi, Marwa praised the officers for effectively balancing aggressive drug supply reduction efforts with sustained drug demand reduction initiatives under the WADA campaign.
“The Chairman commended the officers for their outstanding performance and urged them not to rest on their laurels. He charged personnel across the country to remain focused, vigilant and committed to the Agency’s mandate of safeguarding Nigeria from the scourge of illicit drugs,” Babafemi said.
He reiterated the NDLEA’s resolve to sustain its offensive against drug trafficking organisations and individuals involved in the illicit drug trade.
“The message remains clear: there will be no hiding place for drug traffickers. The NDLEA will continue to pursue every lead, strengthen partnerships and deploy all lawful means necessary to protect Nigerians from the devastating consequences of illicit drugs,” Babafemi added.
NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Over 1.7 Tonnes
