NDLEA Warns About Rising Drug Trafficking Involving South Africans

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the increasing involvement of South African nationals in drug trafficking. Recently, three South Africans were arrested in Nigeria with large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and synthetic cannabis, also known as Loud.

Francis Okogun, the Assistant Director for Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, shared this information during a security briefing in Abuja. He emphasized that these arrests could harm Nigeria’s international reputation and highlighted the role of foreign nationals in drug trafficking.

Okogun stated that the three suspects are believed to be working for international drug cartels. He noted that investigations are ongoing to determine where the drugs were headed and who is behind the shipments. Drug traffickers often do not share information about their sponsors or the final destinations of their drugs.

This announcement follows a series of arrests of South African nationals at Nigerian airports. For instance, in October, a South African woman was caught at the Port Harcourt International Airport with nearly 33 kilograms of synthetic cannabis. Earlier, another South African was arrested in Abuja with heroin hidden in her luggage.

The NDLEA is working diligently to uncover the networks involved in these drug trafficking operations and to address the growing issue of foreign involvement in the trade.