NDLEA intercepts UK shipments of Colos in Lagos, arrests seven suspects
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two consignments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or Colos, allegedly concealed in consolidated cargoes from the United Kingdom.
The seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and two motor parks in Lagos, with at least seven suspects arrested in connection with the consignments.
At the import shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted a UK-origin consignment containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.
The agency arrested a real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, who allegedly arrived to collect a luggage containing the substance using a collection code reportedly sent by his brother in the UK.
According to the NDLEA, Salami was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
In a follow-up operation involving another UK shipment, operatives arrested 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who allegedly presented himself as the designated recipient of a separate consignment containing 12.25kg of Colorado.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that his brother in the UK had sent the package.
In another operation, the agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a music speaker containing three packs of Colorado at Maza Maza motor park in Lagos.
The consignment was reportedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and eventually Liberia.
NDLEA said a 41-year-old tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, and the alleged owner of the consignment, 46-year-old Obasi Ugochukwu, were arrested during a sting operation at a nearby eatery.
At Iddo motor park, operatives also arrested Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry on Friday while he was allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
The agency said the seizures formed part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking networks allegedly using Nigeria as a transit route.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks at airports, seaports, land borders and within the hinterland.
Marwa also directed officers to maintain the agency’s approach to drug control, combining enforcement operations with prevention and public sensitisation.
The latest seizures came days after the NDLEA warned Nigerians against accepting foreign cargoes on behalf of relatives or friends without verifying their contents.
The agency said it had identified cases in which illicit drugs were allegedly concealed in consolidated shipments sent from abroad.
