Wanted kingpin nabbed, drugs hidden in microwaves uncovered

NDLEA officers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have arrested a drug suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, and recovered 23 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 11.3 kilograms, hidden in microwaves imported from Thailand.

The illicit substance, which came in as part of a consolidated cargo via Ethiopian Airlines from Bangkok through Addis Ababa, was intercepted on Monday, July 7, following credible intelligence.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect, Chike, was arrested in connection with the consignment.

“The Loud consignment was part of a consolidated cargo that came in two tranches on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Based on credible intelligence, the cargo was subjected to a thorough search during which 23 parcels of loud weighing 11.3kg concealed in new microwaves were recovered on Monday, July 7, 2025.

“A suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, has been arrested in connection with the seizure,” the statement partly read.

Babafemi said in a similar operation, barely a week after a cocaine seizure en route to the UK, the NDLEA officials at the Lagos airport’s export shed intercepted 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine ingeniously built into ladies’ lipsticks destined for Malabo, Guinea.

He said, “Barely a week after a total of 420grams of cocaine factory fitted in 84 pieces of female lipsticks heading to the UK were seized at a courier company in Lagos, the NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport have intercepted another consignment of cocaine built into ladies’ lipsticks as part of a cargo containing hair attachments, face powder, and other items heading to Malabo, Guinea.

“No less than 400grams of cocaine and phenacetine, a cutting agent, were recovered from the lipsticks when dismantled while a businessman at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, was arrested on Friday, July 11, in connection with the seizure.”