The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, an auto spare parts dealer, who was on the run after attempting to export 2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola. The arrest came three weeks after NDLEA operatives launched a manhunt for Ubodoeze, who was caught on March 6, 2025, in Lagos while trying to flee. A search of his vehicle revealed 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin, a cocaine-cutting agent disguised as semolina, and a digital scale used for weighing drugs was found at his residence.
Ubodoeze confessed to dealing in cocaine while operating his spare parts business at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos. His arrest followed the interception of the cocaine shipment at a logistics company in Lagos on February 21, 2025, which led to the apprehension of the intended recipient in Angola. The recipient’s arrest prompted Ubodoeze to attempt an escape, but NDLEA operatives tracked him down before he could flee.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers intercepted a shipment of cannabis-laced candies imported from the UK, intended for sale at a children’s shop in Lagos. The consignment, seized on February 27, 2025, was found to contain a potent strain of cannabis. The recipient, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on March 4, along with the shop operator, Musurat Lawal. Taylor claimed the shipment was sent by his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, for delivery to the kiddies’ shop in Surulere.
Further operations across the country led to significant seizures and arrests. In Lagos, two suspects were caught with 128kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis concealed in a truck, while three others were arrested with 301,600 pills of tramadol and opioids. In Kano, two individuals were nabbed with 19.2kg of skunk and 212 bottles of codeine syrup. In Abia, a raid uncovered 442,594 pills of tramadol and 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup. Similar operations in Benue, Osun, and Edo states resulted in the recovery of large quantities of illicit drugs and the destruction of a cannabis farm.
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