The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a disturbing attempt to traffic hard drugs by concealing them inside religious books. On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a shipment containing 20 parcels of cocaine. The illicit substances, weighing a total of 500 grams, were discovered during a routine inspection at a courier company in Lagos. Each parcel was carefully hidden within a set of religious texts destined for Saudi Arabia.
This interception underscores the lengths to which traffickers are willing to go to avoid detection, even exploiting items considered sacred. According to NDLEA officials, the use of religious books was clearly aimed at evading scrutiny, as such items are often treated with respect and less suspicion. The agency emphasized that vigilant inspection procedures and intelligence-driven operations made the discovery possible.
In a related operation on the same day, NDLEA operatives also intercepted a separate shipment at another courier facility in Lagos. This parcel, shipped from the United States, contained five packs of a potent strain of cannabis known as “Loud,” weighing 2.8 kilograms. The drug was hidden inside a large carton and was also meant for distribution within the country. The NDLEA has not disclosed if any arrests were made in connection to either shipment.
The agency’s efforts extended beyond courier hubs. On April 13, NDLEA officers arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Muhammad Mohammed, in Kano. He was caught en route to Katsina with 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection strapped to his body. The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to intensifying crackdowns on drug trafficking and has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
