A 34-year-old man identified as Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu, who allegedly masterminded cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.Ebubechukwu, who was arrested during a sting operation at Article Market, opposite Trade Fair Market in the Ojo area of Lagos on Friday, September 4, 2026, was allegedly operating under the cover of a herbal tea business.His arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation into the interception of 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside phone chargers and destined for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The consignment was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on July 31.According to the NDLEA, Ebubechukwu admitted during interrogation that he had masterminded previous illicit drug shipments. He also reportedly discarded his telephone SIM card after learning that the latest consignment had been intercepted.Investigators discovered that the suspect had previously been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in 2011 after allegedly ingesting 900 grammes of cocaine and 130 grammes of heroin while attempting to travel to Austria.He was prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. The agency said he subsequently changed his name from Dunu Chukwuyenre Enoch to Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu before allegedly returning to drug trafficking.A search of his residence at Yemishola Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, also led to the recovery of phone chargers similar to those used to conceal the intercepted cocaine. Their internal components had reportedly been removed to create compartments for drugs.The arrest was part of a wider NDLEA crackdown across nine states in which the agency said it recovered more than two million opioid pills, tonnes of cannabis, methamphetamine and other controlled substances.At the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives recovered 966,200 tablets of Tramadol 225mg valued at more than N1.1 billion. The drugs were concealed among thrift trousers in a 21-carton consignment imported from Pakistan.In another operation at the airport, 57.8kg of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis valued at more than N173 million, was recovered from cartons of disposable hand gloves in a shipment from Singapore. The consignment had remained unclaimed for weeks before a joint examination involving the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 3.In Ondo State, officers intercepted a 20,000-litre fuel tanker, marked MKA 960 XC, along the Akoko-Lokoja Expressway on September 4 after the driver allegedly refused to stop. The driver later abandoned the tanker at a church premises in Ugbe Akoko and fled into the bush.A search of the vehicle uncovered a concealed compartment containing 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145kg, alongside the legitimate fuel cargo reportedly destined for Jos, Plateau State.At the Lagos Port, the NDLEA also intercepted 598.08kg, comprising 890 packets, of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies in a 40-foot container on September 2. The agency linked the consignment to three suspects—Yashim Dauji, Larry Ifeanyi and Joseph Moji—who were previously arrested following the seizure of 842.54kg of cannabis-laced cookies at Tin Can Island Port.In Adamawa State, 864,000 opioid pills, particularly tramadol, were recovered from a residence linked to a fleeing suspect, Patrick KC Frank, in the Damilu-Jambutu axis of Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area.Frank allegedly rammed his Honda Civic into an NDLEA patrol vehicle before escaping.Another suspect, 35-year-old Calistus Ebubechukwu, described by the agency as a major methamphetamine supplier operating between Lagos, Mubi and Michika, was arrested in Michika with 2kg of methamphetamine.The NDLEA also intercepted Attahiru Hussaini at Namtari checkpoint in Mubi on August 31. He was allegedly transporting tramadol and other opioids concealed in a soap-laden Ford Galaxy bus marked JJM-953XD.In Lagos, officers recovered 2,386.9kg of cannabis, 350 grammes of cocaine, more than 100kg of various grades of tramadol, 9.7 litres of codeine syrup and 4kg of Rohypnol in the Gbaji area. Two suspects, Damilare Francis and Emeh Emmanuel, were also arrested at Agbara with 720kg of cannabis.Meanwhile, three suspects—Saidu Mustapha, 35; Zaharadeen Salisu, 29; and AbdulSalam Abdullahi, 25—were arrested in Kogi State with 636kg of cannabis allegedly concealed in chicken manure aboard a bus travelling from Owo in Ondo State to Jos, Plateau State.In Taraba State, 58-year-old Kelechi Unachukwu was arrested along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area with more than 109kg of controlled substances, including tramadol, diazepam, pentazocine, phenobarbital, Exol-5, nitrazepam, bromazepam and pregabalin. The drugs were allegedly being conveyed in his Toyota Corolla from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Yola, Adamawa State.In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck carrying bags of cement along the Zaria-Kano Expressway and recovered 1,179kg of skunk.In Bauchi, a 25-year-old suspect, Hamza Dahiru, was arrested in a follow-up operation after the seizure of 322.5kg of cannabis in Deba town, Gombe State, on September 1.In Ekiti State, two suspects, Chuks Alex, 50, and Asafa Adekunle, 35, were arrested after NDLEA officers discovered and destroyed a four-hectare cannabis farm in Efon-Alaaye forest. The operation also led to the recovery of 117kg of already harvested cannabis.In Enugu State, a 20-year-old man, Obinna David, was arrested at Ugbema Junction on September 5 with 40,590 capsules of tramadol.Beyond the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its commands across the country continued with drug-abuse awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse programme. The sensitisation activities targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.The agency said its recent activities included an enlightenment lecture for nursing mothers and nurses at Ibereko Primary Health Centre in Abeokuta North, Ogun State, as well as engagements with youths in Umouji/Okwo community in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, and staff and concessionaires at the Saipem-Daewoo, NLNG terminal in Bonny, Rivers State.NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control.Marwa said traffickers who attempt to evade law enforcement by adopting new identities or operating behind legitimate businesses would continue to be tracked down.

According to the NDLEA, Ebubechukwu admitted during interrogation that he had masterminded previous illicit drug shipments. He also reportedly discarded his telephone SIM card after learning that the latest consignment had been intercepted.

A 34-year-old man identified as Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu, who allegedly masterminded cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos. Ebubechukwu, who was arrested during a sting operation at Article Market, opposite Trade Fair Market in the Ojo area of Lagos on Friday, September 4, 2026, was allegedly operating under the cover of a herbal tea business. His arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation into the interception of 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside phone chargers and destined for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The consignment was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on July 31. According to the NDLEA, Ebubechukwu admitted during interrogation that he had masterminded previous illicit drug shipments. He also reportedly discarded his telephone SIM card after learning that the latest consignment had been intercepted. Investigators discovered that the suspect had previously been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in 2011 after allegedly ingesting 900 grammes of cocaine and 130 grammes of heroin while attempting to travel to Austria. He was prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. The agency said he subsequently changed his name from Dunu Chukwuyenre Enoch to Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu before allegedly returning to drug trafficking. A search of his residence at Yemishola Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, also led to the recovery of phone chargers similar to those used to conceal the intercepted cocaine. Their internal components had reportedly been removed to create compartments for drugs. The arrest was part of a wider NDLEA crackdown across nine states in which the agency said it recovered more than two million opioid pills, tonnes of cannabis, methamphetamine and other controlled substances. At the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives recovered 966,200 tablets of Tramadol 225mg valued at more than N1.1 billion. The drugs were concealed among thrift trousers in a 21-carton consignment imported from Pakistan. In another operation at the airport, 57.8kg of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis valued at more than N173 million, was recovered from cartons of disposable hand gloves in a shipment from Singapore. The consignment had remained unclaimed for weeks before a joint examination involving the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 3. In Ondo State, officers intercepted a 20,000-litre fuel tanker, marked MKA 960 XC, along the Akoko-Lokoja Expressway on September 4 after the driver allegedly refused to stop. The driver later abandoned the tanker at a church premises in Ugbe Akoko and fled into the bush. A search of the vehicle uncovered a concealed compartment containing 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145kg, alongside the legitimate fuel cargo reportedly destined for Jos, Plateau State. At the Lagos Port, the NDLEA also intercepted 598.08kg, comprising 890 packets, of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies in a 40-foot container on September 2. The agency linked the consignment to three suspects—Yashim Dauji, Larry Ifeanyi and Joseph Moji—who were previously arrested following the seizure of 842.54kg of cannabis-laced cookies at Tin Can Island Port. In Adamawa State, 864,000 opioid pills, particularly tramadol, were recovered from a residence linked to a fleeing suspect, Patrick KC Frank, in the Damilu-Jambutu axis of Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area. Frank allegedly rammed his Honda Civic into an NDLEA patrol vehicle before escaping. Another suspect, 35-year-old Calistus Ebubechukwu, described by the agency as a major methamphetamine supplier operating between Lagos, Mubi and Michika, was arrested in Michika with 2kg of methamphetamine. The NDLEA also intercepted Attahiru Hussaini at Namtari checkpoint in Mubi on August 31. He was allegedly transporting tramadol and other opioids concealed in a soap-laden Ford Galaxy bus marked JJM-953XD. In Lagos, officers recovered 2,386.9kg of cannabis, 350 grammes of cocaine, more than 100kg of various grades of tramadol, 9.7 litres of codeine syrup and 4kg of Rohypnol in the Gbaji area. Two suspects, Damilare Francis and Emeh Emmanuel, were also arrested at Agbara with 720kg of cannabis. Meanwhile, three suspects—Saidu Mustapha, 35; Zaharadeen Salisu, 29; and AbdulSalam Abdullahi, 25—were arrested in Kogi State with 636kg of cannabis allegedly concealed in chicken manure aboard a bus travelling from Owo in Ondo State to Jos, Plateau State. In Taraba State, 58-year-old Kelechi Unachukwu was arrested along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area with more than 109kg of controlled substances, including tramadol, diazepam, pentazocine, phenobarbital, Exol-5, nitrazepam, bromazepam and pregabalin. The drugs were allegedly being conveyed in his Toyota Corolla from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Yola, Adamawa State. In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck carrying bags of cement along the Zaria-Kano Expressway and recovered 1,179kg of skunk. In Bauchi, a 25-year-old suspect, Hamza Dahiru, was arrested in a follow-up operation after the seizure of 322.5kg of cannabis in Deba town, Gombe State, on September 1. In Ekiti State, two suspects, Chuks Alex, 50, and Asafa Adekunle, 35, were arrested after NDLEA officers discovered and destroyed a four-hectare cannabis farm in Efon-Alaaye forest. The operation also led to the recovery of 117kg of already harvested cannabis. In Enugu State, a 20-year-old man, Obinna David, was arrested at Ugbema Junction on September 5 with 40,590 capsules of tramadol. Beyond the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its commands across the country continued with drug-abuse awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse programme. The sensitisation activities targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities. The agency said its recent activities included an enlightenment lecture for nursing mothers and nurses at Ibereko Primary Health Centre in Abeokuta North, Ogun State, as well as engagements with youths in Umouji/Okwo community in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, and staff and concessionaires at the Saipem-Daewoo, NLNG terminal in Bonny, Rivers State. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control. Marwa said traffickers who attempt to evade law enforcement by adopting new identities or operating behind legitimate businesses would continue to be tracked down.

According to the NDLEA, Ebubechukwu admitted during interrogation that he had masterminded previous illicit drug shipments. He also reportedly discarded his telephone SIM card after learning that the latest consignment had been intercepted.

NDLEA arrests convicted cocaine trafficker disguised as herbal tea merchant

Ecuadorian anti-narcotics officers have seized 469 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a truck near the Colombian border, with many of the packages carrying images of Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland.&nbsp;Authorities launched the operation after receiving an anonymous tip about a suspicious truck travelling along the Pan American Highway. Police searched the vehicle and found a secret compartment containing 370 parcels. Police footage showed officers removing the packages from the truck.&nbsp;Many of the green-wrapped packages carried images of Haaland. However, the football star had no connection to the shipment, and traffickers appear to have used his image on the cocaine packages.A woman carrying Colombian identification documents was arrested during the operation. Authorities have not explained why the traffickers chose Haaland's image.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-identify-trace-and-punish-every-terrorist-pm-modi-condemns-pahalgam-attack-warns-terror-backers-1786729807229">'India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist': PM Modi condemns Pahalgam attack, warns terror backers</a>&nbsp;Celebrity names and images are commonly used by drug trafficking organisations on shipments to identify packages or indicate their intended recipients. Peruvian authorities also found packages carrying Lionel Messi's image during a drug seizure in 2017.&nbsp;Ecuador is a key transit route for cocaine destined for Central America, the United States and Europe. Authorities estimated the local value of the seized drugs at around $842,000.&nbsp;The estimated value could rise to more than $11 million in the United States and over $19.6 million in Europe.

Ecuadorian authorities seized 469 kg of cocaine hidden in a truck near the Colombian border, with traffickers using football star Erling Haaland's image on several packages despite his having no connection to the shipment.

Ecuadorian anti-narcotics officers have seized 469 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a truck near the Colombian border, with many of the packages carrying images of Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland. Authorities launched the operation after receiving an anonymous tip about a suspicious truck travelling along the Pan American Highway. Police searched the vehicle and found a secret compartment containing 370 parcels. Police footage showed officers removing the packages from the truck. Many of the green-wrapped packages carried images of Haaland. However, the football star had no connection to the shipment, and traffickers appear to have used his image on the cocaine packages. A woman carrying Colombian identification documents was arrested during the operation. Authorities have not explained why the traffickers chose Haaland's image. Also Read: 'India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist': PM Modi condemns Pahalgam attack, warns terror backers Celebrity names and images are commonly used by drug trafficking organisations on shipments to identify packages or indicate their intended recipients. Peruvian authorities also found packages carrying Lionel Messi's image during a drug seizure in 2017. Ecuador is a key transit route for cocaine destined for Central America, the United States and Europe. Authorities estimated the local value of the seized drugs at around $842,000. The estimated value could rise to more than $11 million in the United States and over $19.6 million in Europe.

Ecuadorian authorities seized 469 kg of cocaine hidden in a truck near the Colombian border, with traffickers using football star Erling Haaland's image on several packages despite his having no connection to the shipment.

Haaland’s face misused by gangsters to smuggle cocaine into Ecuador

The Narcotics Control Bureau and the Customs Air Intelligence Unit in the southern Indian city of Chennai seized 5.618 kg of cocaine from incoming international passengers' baggage at the city's international airport. As per the images shared by authorities, the contraband appears to be packed in small metal foils that make it seem like premium chocolates.According to authorities, two Indian nationals – a resident of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, aged 25, and a resident of Chamba, Himachal, aged 26 – were apprehended while carrying the contraband brought on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Chennai in their baggage.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-s-wannabe-assassin-ryan-wesley-routh-issues-insane-golf-challenge-he-wins-execute-me-i-win-1756869739998">Trump's wannabe assassin Ryan Wesley Routh issues insane golf challenge: 'He wins, execute me, if I win...'</a>The street value of the seized high-grade cocaine is estimated to be at least Rs 60 crores, or $6.8 million in India. Cocaine, which is sold illegally in one-gram sachets, is estimated to cost anywhere between Rs 8,000 ($90) to Rs 12,000 ($136), depending on the level of adulteration in the cocaine.It has been ascertained that the apprehended Indian nationals have made multiple trips from Addis Ababa to various airports in India for trafficking cocaine over the last few years.According to authorities, preliminary investigations also reveal that the duo is part of a larger transnational drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of cocaine from Ethiopia to India.&nbsp; It was revealed that the network was handled by a Nigerian national in Delhi and that the contraband would be distributed from the national capital to other parts of the country.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeffrey-epstein-files-released-33-000-pages-posted-online-for-all-to-see-here-s-what-we-know-1756860716401">Jeffrey Epstein files released: 33,000 pages posted online for all to see. Here's what we know</a>NCB said that they detained the said Nigerian national in Delhi, who has been in India since the year 2023 on a medical visa, but the individual was overstaying since 2024, even after the expiry of his visa. While the Nigerian national had come on a medical visa on the grounds of undergoing treatment at a Chennai hospital, he was involved in drug trafficking and setting up a distribution channel from Delhi.Further, authorities held an Indian national from Mumbai who was a part of this syndicate.&nbsp; In addition to this, investigation has shown the involvement of a person of Indian origin in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who arranges the supply of cocaine and handles the distribution of profits among the syndicate members. A probe is underway to identify and apprehend all other members of this syndicate and to ascertain the financial trail, officials said."Considering the involvement of foreigners, especially African nationals, in illegal drug trafficking activities in India, NCB has collected the list of overstaying foreigners and shared the data with the States for appropriate action against the overstaying individuals under the Foreigners Act," NCB said.

In a major drug bust at Chennai International Airport, the Narcotics Control Bureau and Customs Air Intelligence Unit seized 5.618 kg of high-grade cocaine, with an estimated street value of ₹60 crores ($6.8 million).

The Narcotics Control Bureau and the Customs Air Intelligence Unit in the southern Indian city of Chennai seized 5.618 kg of cocaine from incoming international passengers' baggage at the city's international airport. As per the images shared by authorities, the contraband appears to be packed in small metal foils that make it seem like premium chocolates. According to authorities, two Indian nationals – a resident of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, aged 25, and a resident of Chamba, Himachal, aged 26 – were apprehended while carrying the contraband brought on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Chennai in their baggage. Also read | Trump's wannabe assassin Ryan Wesley Routh issues insane golf challenge: 'He wins, execute me, if I win...' The street value of the seized high-grade cocaine is estimated to be at least Rs 60 crores, or $6.8 million in India. Cocaine, which is sold illegally in one-gram sachets, is estimated to cost anywhere between Rs 8,000 ($90) to Rs 12,000 ($136), depending on the level of adulteration in the cocaine. It has been ascertained that the apprehended Indian nationals have made multiple trips from Addis Ababa to various airports in India for trafficking cocaine over the last few years. According to authorities, preliminary investigations also reveal that the duo is part of a larger transnational drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of cocaine from Ethiopia to India. It was revealed that the network was handled by a Nigerian national in Delhi and that the contraband would be distributed from the national capital to other parts of the country. Also read | Jeffrey Epstein files released: 33,000 pages posted online for all to see. Here's what we know NCB said that they detained the said Nigerian national in Delhi, who has been in India since the year 2023 on a medical visa, but the individual was overstaying since 2024, even after the expiry of his visa. While the Nigerian national had come on a medical visa on the grounds of undergoing treatment at a Chennai hospital, he was involved in drug trafficking and setting up a distribution channel from Delhi. Further, authorities held an Indian national from Mumbai who was a part of this syndicate. In addition to this, investigation has shown the involvement of a person of Indian origin in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who arranges the supply of cocaine and handles the distribution of profits among the syndicate members. A probe is underway to identify and apprehend all other members of this syndicate and to ascertain the financial trail, officials said. "Considering the involvement of foreigners, especially African nationals, in illegal drug trafficking activities in India, NCB has collected the list of overstaying foreigners and shared the data with the States for appropriate action against the overstaying individuals under the Foreigners Act," NCB said.

In a major drug bust at Chennai International Airport, the Narcotics Control Bureau and Customs Air Intelligence Unit seized 5.618 kg of high-grade cocaine, with an estimated street value of ₹60 crores ($6.8 million).

Chennai: Two Indians held for carrying cocaine worth $6.8mn from Ethiopia

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NDLEA arrests convicted cocaine trafficker disguised as herbal tea merchant

Haaland’s face misused by gangsters to smuggle cocaine into Ecuador

Chennai: Two Indians held for carrying cocaine worth $6.8mn from Ethiopia