NDLEA Busts Major Tramadol Drug Network, Arrests Kumar and Accomplices
On September 14, 2025, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the dismantling of a major drug trafficking network involving an Indian businessman and three Nigerian accomplices.
Gupta Ravi Kumar was arrested during a follow-up operation on September 12 while attempting to take delivery of 2,248,000 tramadol pills valued at N3.99 billion. The shipment had arrived at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) disguised as multi-vitamins in 114 cartons, imported from Delhi via Ethiopian Airlines on September 8.
Earlier arrests included Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode, and Bakare Korede Muheeb, who were caught moving the shipment out of the airport on September 11.
NDLEA also intercepted other drug consignments across Lagos: cannabis concealed in crayfish on a traveler to Doha, 81.7kg of Canadian Loud and hashish oil at Tincan Port, and methamphetamine hidden in a picture frame bound for Gabon.
Additionally, a secret factory producing cannabis-laced drinks in Ikorodu was raided, leading to the arrest of factory manager Joy Awosika and the seizure of over 6,000 bottles and 4,232kg of cannabis.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) praised the operations as a significant strike against transnational drug cartels and warned traffickers that Nigeria remains a hostile environment for their trade.
