NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Ammunition

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a fresh concealment method used by traffickers, intercepting high-grade illicit drugs hidden inside water purifier machines imported from Europe, alongside the recovery of military-grade ammunition and multiple arrests in nationwide operations.

The Agency also recorded major seizures across several states, including large quantities of cannabis, opioids and ammunition, as part of intensified enforcement actions targeting drug trafficking networks.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA said operatives made the discovery during an inspection at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

The shipment contained 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as Ecstasy, cleverly concealed within water purifier units traced to the Netherlands.

In Kaduna State, operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, following the recovery of 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing about 1,246 kilograms from a residential building in Gonin Gora on Sunday, 24 May.

In a separate operation along the Abuja–Kaduna Highway at Jere, NDLEA officers intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, allegedly conveying 380 rounds of 7.62mm military ammunition to Katsina State. The suspect and the seized ammunition were handed over to relevant security authorities for further investigation.

In Niger State, acting on intelligence, operatives raided a warehouse in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, recovering 457 kilograms of skunk. A follow-up arrest led to the apprehension of Godwin Zakka at his residence in Minna’s Gbeganu area in connection with the seizure.

Similarly, in Enugu State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial vehicle along the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway on Thursday, 28 May, recovering 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. One suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.

Beyond enforcement, the agency continued its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign, taking anti-drug messages to schools, churches and communities across several states, including Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Anambra.

Schools visited during the week included Government Secondary School, Adiabo; St Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu Commands as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation for the coordinated successes.

He urged officers to sustain the momentum in both supply reduction and public enlightenment campaigns, describing the operations as critical to weakening drug trafficking networks across the country.