The Suspect: Thing Hung Kiong
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 63-year-old Chinese national, Ting Kiong, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 31 kilograms of a synthetic cannabis strain known as “Canadian Loud” into Nigeria.
The suspect, who is reportedly naturalised in Malaysia, was apprehended on Sunday, May 17, 2026, upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
She had travelled from Thailand through Dubai on an Emirates Airline flight.
According to a statement issued by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the arrest was made at the Terminal 2 Arrival Hall, where operatives intercepted the suspect with two large suitcases containing the illicit substance.
During preliminary interrogation, Ting Kiong disclosed that she works as a caregiver in Malaysia and that her trip was sponsored by her daughter.
She further revealed that she spent two weeks in Thailand before being handed the drug consignment at the airport for delivery in Nigeria.
In a related development, NDLEA officials also intercepted a major shipment of opioids at the Lagos airport import shed.
The consignment, which arrived from India via an Emirates Cargo flight, contained 1,825,710 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg valued at over N2.19 billion.
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The cargo was handed over to the agency by the Nigeria Customs Service after close monitoring.
Elsewhere, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, operatives arrested a suspect, Onyeka Valentine Emeka, on May 20 during passenger clearance. The suspect later excreted 185.36 grams of cocaine while under observation.
Similarly, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a 29-year-old engineer, Babatunde Prosper Afekhide, was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy.
A search of his luggage uncovered 10,280 pills of tramadol and tapentadol concealed in a carton.
Further operations across the country led to multiple seizures and arrests. In Lagos, drugs hidden in bicycle parts, soap containers, and body cream packages were intercepted at a courier facility, with destinations including the Netherlands, United States, and United Kingdom.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Owan East Local Government Area, recovering 489 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In Kano, a suspect was arrested with 196,000 pills of Exol-5 along the Zaria–Kano Road, while additional seizures were recorded in Ekiti and at the Seme border.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged continued efforts in curbing drug trafficking and intensifying public sensitisation campaigns nationwide.
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