Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested an automobile spare parts dealer, Levi Ubodoeze, over a recent attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

The suspect was apprehended three weeks after operatives launched a manhunt for him.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, revealed that following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on February 21, 2025, swift communication with the Angolan authorities led to the arrest of the intended recipient. This, in turn, exposed the identity of the sender.

“As a result, the NDLEA operatives on Thursday, March 6, tracked Ubodoeze to his residence in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle attempting 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. A digital scale used for weighing illicit drugs was also recovered from his house.

“In his statement, Ubodoeze admitted to dealing in cocaine while running his motor spare parts business at the Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos. He stated that the intended recipient of the consignment in Angola had alerted him upon his arrest, prompting his attempt to vacate his house and flee before NDLEA operatives swooped in,” the statement added.

Babafemi also disclosed that the NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted a cargo of cannabis-infused candies imported from the United Kingdom and intended for sale at a kiddies’ mart located at 46 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

“The consignment was seized on February 27 upon arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways. Preliminary field tests and forensic analysis confirmed that the candies were laced with a potent strain of cannabis. Consequently, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on Tuesday, March 4, following the earlier arrest of a freight agent.

“In his statement, Adedamola claimed that the consignment was sent by his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, for delivery to Musurat Lawal, who operates the kiddies’ shop owned by Alabi in Surulere. A follow-up operation at the shop led to Musurat’s arrest,” Babafemi stated.



https://punchng.com/ndlea-seizes-over-9500kg-drugs-nationwide-arrests-suspect/