Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended Levi Ubodoeze, a Lagos-based automobile spare parts dealer, for attempting to export two kilograms of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Sunday.
Babafemi explained that the arrest was made possible through effective intelligence sharing and collaboration between the NDLEA and Angolan authorities.
“Just three weeks after launching a manhunt, NDLEA operatives arrested automobile spare parts dealer Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze for attempting to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola,” the statement read.
“Following the discovery of the cocaine shipment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on February 21, 2025, prompt communication was made with Angolan authorities, who subsequently arrested the intended recipient of the illegal drugs in Angola. This led to the identification of the sender.”
“On Thursday, March 6, NDLEA operatives traced Ubodoeze to his residence in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was apprehended in a KIA SUV as he attempted to flee.”
The agency also seized 75.5 kilograms of phenacetin, a common cutting agent for cocaine, disguised as semolina, along with a digital scale used for weighing illicit substances found at Ubodoeze’s home.
According to the statement, Ubodoeze confessed to his involvement in the cocaine trade while conducting his spare parts business at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.
“He admitted that the recipient in Angola contacted him upon being arrested, prompting him to attempt to vacate his home and flee just before NDLEA officers arrived,” Babafemi said.
In a separate operation, NDLEA agents intercepted a commercial truck in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 7, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene. The truck was found to be transporting 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 128 kilograms, concealed in the truck’s undercarriage.
Additionally, three other suspects—Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe—were arrested at Mosalasi Junction in Mushin on the same day with 301,600 tramadol and other opioid pills.
Babafemi further reported that in Kano State, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was arrested on March 6 with 19.2 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect, Musa Bello, 60, was apprehended with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
