Thai Woman Arrested at Lagos Airport with 46.60 kilogram of Cannabis, as NDLEA Foils UK-Bound Shipment

Thai Woman Arrested at Lagos Airport with 46.60 kilogram of Cannabis, as NDLEA Foils UK-Bound Shipment

LAGOS – Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 24-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 46.60 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of synthetic cannabis, into Nigeria.

The suspect was apprehended on Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha. The illicit consignment was discovered concealed in her boxes at the arrival hall, Terminal 2 of the airport. During interrogation, she admitted to being a hired drug trafficker, revealing that a drug cartel had promised her $3,000 for successfully delivering the narcotics in Nigeria.

NDLEA Disrupts Drug Syndicate’s UK Shipment

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a drug syndicate’s attempt to ship 42.2 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, concealed in the walls of crated cartons, to London, United Kingdom. The seizure occurred at the export shed of MMIA on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Three suspects, including a freight agent and two dispatch riders, were initially arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. Following investigations, the mastermind of the operation, identified as Samuel Bitris, was traced to his residence in Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos, where he was arrested.

Tramadol Seizure at Port Harcourt Port

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA officers at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State, intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of Tamol, a brand of Tramadol 225mg, in a 40-foot container. The seizure was made during a joint examination with officers from the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

More Drug Arrests in Nasarawa and Niger States

The agency continued its crackdown on illicit drug trade across the country with further arrests and seizures. In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42, at Kokona/Keffi with 517 kilograms of skunk on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Additionally, in Niger State, two more suspects, Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were intercepted while transporting 62.7 kilograms of skunk in a Toyota Corolla along Sabon Asibiti Road, Kontagora, on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

NDLEA’s Commitment to Drug-Free Society

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA commands nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns in schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent awareness efforts included lectures at 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.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their relentless efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies. He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking and ensuring a drug-free society.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, February 23, 2025