NDLEA intercepts Indian woman smuggling heroin in chocolate at Kano airport

OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 42-year-old Indian woman, Ms Neetu Neetu, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin, factory-sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates.

The Class A drug consignment, weighing a total of 11 kilograms, was recovered from Neetu’s luggage after a thorough search, following credible intelligence.

The seizure occurred during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha at the arrival hall of Kano airport on Friday, 14th March 2025.

The arrest of Neetu highlights a growing trend of drug trafficking organisations hiring white women and foreign nationals to smuggle illicit drugs through Nigerian borders—a strategy that vigilant NDLEA operatives have consistently thwarted using modern technological tools and proactive intelligence.

In response to Neetu’s arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling drug smuggling.

In another interdiction operation in Kano, NDLEA officers on Thursday, 20th March, arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Michael Ogundele, with a 50-litre steel gas cylinder at Gadar Tamburawa, along the Zaria-Kano road. Acting on credible intelligence, officers used welding tools to cut open the cylinder, revealing 50,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) concealed inside.

Additionally, on Wednesday, 19th March, Sunday Ogar, 40, was arrested in the Gunduwawa area of Kano with 27kg of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. On Tuesday, 18th March, another suspect, Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, was caught in the Lungun Bulala Yalwa area with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

In Lagos, operatives apprehended Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa in Mushin with 67.5kg of skunk.

Another 100.8kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered from the store of two fleeing suspects in Anifowoshe, Mushin.

Meanwhile, in Apapa, Isah Idris was arrested with 4.5kg of skunk, 600 grams of tramadol (225mg), and 30 litres of codeine syrup on Tuesday, 18th March.

On the same day, Yahaya Mohamed was arrested in the Ikotun area with varying quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Across the country, NDLEA Commands and formations intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy efforts in schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, and worship centres.

Awareness campaigns were held at several institutions, including Chrisland School, Ikeja, Lagos; Hakimi Secondary School, Mokwa, Niger State; Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Anambra State; Ikole City College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State; Government Day Secondary School, Sunane, Sokoto State; and Government Day Secondary School, Jada, Adamawa State, among others.

Commending the officers of MAKIA, Lagos, and Kano Commands for their arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), expressed satisfaction with the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and demand reduction. He urged all formations to remain vigilant and unwavering in their efforts.