Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Lagos-based automobile spare parts dealer, Levi Ubodoeze, for attempting to export two kilograms of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, announced the arrest in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the operation was successful due to intelligence sharing and collaboration between NDLEA and Angolan authorities.
“Barely three weeks after launching a manhunt for him, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested automobile spare parts dealer Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze over a recent attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola,” Babafemi stated.
He revealed that the drugs were first seized on February 21, 2025, at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. Following this, Angolan authorities arrested the intended recipient of the drugs, which led to the discovery of Ubodoeze’s identity.
“As a result, NDLEA operatives, on Thursday, March 6, tracked Ubodoeze to his house in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape,” Babafemi added.
During the operation, NDLEA officers found 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin, a chemical used to cut cocaine, packaged and labeled as semolina. A digital scale used for weighing drugs was also recovered.
Ubodoeze reportedly admitted to being part of the drug trade while running his spare parts business at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.
“He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested, hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him,” Babafemi explained.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial truck in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 7, leading to the arrest of two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene. The truck was found carrying 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a strong form of cannabis, weighing 128 kilograms. The drugs were hidden in the underbelly of the truck.
Additionally, three more suspects — Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe — were apprehended at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.
In Kano State, the NDLEA arrested a 65-year-old man, Yahaya Haruna, on March 6 with 19.2 kilograms of skunk, while 60-year-old Musa Bello was caught with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
