Nigeria drug gang planted meth in unsuspecting passengers’ bags

ABUJA — Drug enforcement agents in Nigeria have uncovered a criminal syndicate that allegedly sneaks illicit drugs into the luggage of unsuspecting long-distance travellers to transport them across the country.

The scheme was exposed after operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a commercial Sienna bus travelling to the capital, Abuja, from the southeastern commercial hub of Nnewi in Anambra State.

Agents tracking the vehicle searched it at Abaji on the outskirts of Abuja, uncovering a concealed package of methamphetamine weighing 467.7 grams. The narcotics had been hidden inside a black nylon bag, stuffed into a larger sack of clothes that bore an unsuspecting passenger’s phone number.

Ambush at the motor park

A follow-up sting operation conducted the same day at the busy Utako Motor Park in Abuja led to the immediate arrest of the designated recipient, Gloria Peter.

However, investigators say the case took a dramatic turn when Mrs. Peter vehemently denied owning the cargo or having any knowledge of its contents.

Her insistence on her innocence prompted NDLEA operatives to expand their investigation across state lines, leading to the arrest of the station loaders who had packed the vehicle back in Anambra State.

Conspiracy exposed

Under interrogation, one of the station loaders confessed that he had secretly planted the drugs inside the woman’s luggage. He claimed he was acting on the direct instructions of the commercial bus driver, Abdurrazak Isah.

According to the NDLEA, the driver subsequently cracked under questioning, admitting that the shipment actually belonged to a completely different passenger, identified as Onyebuchi Victor Okoye.

Mr. Okoye was later arrested by undercover operatives during a subsequent ambush at the Abuja motor park.

The NDLEA stated that the joint operation between its FCT and Anambra State commands has successfully dismantled the transit network, warning commuters to remain highly vigilant regarding their personal belongings at public transport terminals.