Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have arrested a Lagos-based automobile spare parts dealer, Levi Ubodoeze, for attempting to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.


The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.


The statement read, “Barely three weeks after launching a manhunt for him, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested automobile spare parts dealer Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze over a recent attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.


Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on February 21, 2025, swift contact was made with Angolan authorities, who in turn arrested the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in Angola, after which the identity of the sender was uncovered.


As a result, NDLEA operatives, on Thursday, March 6, tracked Ubodoeze to his house in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape.


A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of a large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine, weighing 75.50 kilograms, packaged and branded as semolina. A digital scale used for weighing illicit drugs was also recovered from his house.


In his confession, Ubodoeze reportedly admitted to his involvement in the cocaine trade while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.


“He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested, hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him,” the statement read.


In another operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial truck in the Ojo area of Lagos State on March 7, leading to the arrest of two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene.
The truck was reportedly transporting 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 128 kilograms, which was concealed in the underbelly of the truck.
Meanwhile, three suspects — Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe — were arrested the same day at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.
Babafemi added that in Kano State, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was arrested on 6th March with 19.2 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect, Musa Bello, 60, was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
On March 4, NDLEA operatives raided the residence and warehouse of one Blessing Okoronkwo in Aba, Abia State, recovering 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup.
The agency’s efforts also led to several arrests in Osun, Benue, and Edo states.
Babafemi revealed that in Benue State, 50,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered from two suspects, Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, on 5th March when their vehicle was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ugbema Junction, Katsina Ala.
In Osun, 50-year-old Asimiyu Muibi was arrested on 4th March with 162 kilograms of skunk at Modakeke, while 95 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from a Toyota Camry, marked KSF 72 GW, during a raid in Ede the same day.
On March 5, a suspect, Etim Esien Stephen, 55, was arrested following a raid on a cannabis farm in Igueben, Edo State, where 9,514.625 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farmland.
NDLEA operatives also uncovered a shipment of cannabis-infused candies intended for sale in a children’s store located at 46 Ogunlana Drive, in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
Babafemi disclosed that the consignment, imported from the United Kingdom on February 27, was destined for Kiddies Mart but was intercepted upon arrival.
He added that Adedamola Taylor, the recipient of the shipment who claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, was arrested after a freight agent linked him to the illegal goods.
Further investigation reportedly led to the arrest of Musurat Lawal, identified as the operator of Kiddies Mart.
NDLEA arrests fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure
. Intercepts cannabis candies shipment meant for Lagos kiddies’ shop, nabs suspects; recovers large consignments of opioids, others in Abia, Kano, Benue, Osun, Edo raids
Barely three weeks after launching a manhunt for him, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested an automobile spare parts dealer Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze over a recent attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on 21st February 2025, swift contacts were made with Angolan authorities who in turn arrested the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in Angola, after which the identity of the sender was unraveled.

As a result, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 6th March tracked Ubodoeze to his house in Ago palace way area of Isolo, Lagos where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine weighing 75.50 kilograms packaged and branded as semolina, while a digital scale used in weighing illicit drugs was recovered from his house.

In his statement, Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo market, Mushin area of Lagos. He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested in Angola hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have intercepted a cargo of cannabis candies imported from the United Kingdom and meant for sale at a Kiddies Mart, located at 46 Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos.

The consignment was seized on 27th February upon its arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways. Preliminary field test and subsequent forensic analysis of the candies established that the substance was laced with a strong strain of cannabis. As a result, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on Tuesday 4th March after initial arrest of a freight agent.

In his statement, Adedamola claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother Babatunde Alabi, to deliver to one Musurat Lawal, who operates the Kiddies shop owned by Alabi in Surulere area of Lagos. A follow up operation at the shop led to the arrest of Musurat.

Two suspects: China Michael and Igbo Ekene were arrested on Friday 7th March when their commercial truck was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Shibiri area of Ojo, Lagos. A search of the vehicle revealed 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 128kg, were concealed in the underbelly of the truck.

In another interdiction operation in Lagos, three suspects: Osinachi Nwachukwu; Tochukwu Okafor Christian and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe were on Friday 7th March arrested at Mosalasi junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.

In Kano, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was nabbed with 19.2kg skunk along Gadar Tamburawa road on Thursday 6th March while 60-year-old Musa Bello (a.k.a Jajere) was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Medile, Kumbotso local council area.

No fewer than 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered by NDLEA operatives who raided the house and warehouse of a 37-year-old suspect, Blessing Okoronkwo at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, Abia state on Tuesday 4th March.

In Benue state, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from two suspects: Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, on Wednesday 5th March when their vehicle was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ugbema junction, Katsina Ala area of the state.

In Osun state, a suspect, Asimiyu Muibi, 50, was arrested on Tuesday 4th March with 162kg skunk at Modakeke, Ife East local government area while 95kg of same substance was recovered from a Toyota Camry car marked KSF 72 GW during a raid in Ede same day.

A suspect, Etim Esien Stephen, 55, was arrested when NDLEA officers on Wednesday 5th March raided the Amahor community forest, in Igueben area of Edo State where 9,514.625kg skunk was destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farm land.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Model High School, Amaechi, Enugu; Bengy Secondary School, Agege, Lagos; Sunshine Secondary School, Nku Udo Eno, Akwa Ibom; and Government Day Secondary School, Dong, Adamawa state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja