The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, a 24-year-old Thai national, for attempting to smuggle 46.60 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, into Nigeria. The illicit consignment, comprising 43 parcels, was intercepted at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The suspect was apprehended on Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar. NDLEA operatives discovered the drugs hidden in her luggage. Upon interrogation, Ms. Wimonnat confessed to being a hired drug trafficker, revealing that a drug cartel promised her $3,000 for successfully delivering the consignment in Nigeria.
In a related operation, NDLEA officers foiled another drug smuggling attempt involving 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 42.2 kilograms. The drugs were concealed in crated cartons destined for London, UK, via the Lagos airport’s export shed. Three suspects, including a freight agent and two dispatch riders, were initially arrested. The operation led to the swift arrest of the mastermind, Samuel Bitris, at his residence in Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State, intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of Tamol, a brand of tramadol 225mg. The seizure occurred during a joint examination with Customs Service personnel and other security agencies on Thursday, February 20.
In further operations across Nigeria, NDLEA officers in Nasarawa State arrested Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42, with 517 kilograms of skunk at Kokona/Keffi on Saturday, February 22. Meanwhile, Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were apprehended in Niger State with 62.7 kilograms of skunk along Sabon Asibiti Road, Kontagora, on February 20.
NDLEA’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign also continued in the past week. Awareness lectures were held at various educational institutions, including Maku Grammar School, Tapa, Oyo State; Comprehensive Secondary School, Orogwe, Imo State; Jama’atu Islamiyya Secondary School, Ankpa, Kogi State; and Owerri-Aba Primary School, Ugwunagba, Imo State. These efforts aim to educate students, staff, and communities about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
