Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 63-year-old Chinese woman, identified as Ting Hung Kiong, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 31 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Canadian Loud,” into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to reports, the suspect, a Chinese national naturalized in Malaysia and reportedly working as a caregiver, was intercepted on May 17 at the airport’s Terminal 2 shortly after arriving from Thailand through Dubai.
LNDLEA officials disclosed that the illicit drug consignment was carefully concealed inside two large travel boxes. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly claimed that an unidentified individual handed the luggage to her at the airport in Thailand and instructed her to deliver it to a contact in Nigeria.
Authorities described “Canadian Loud” as a highly potent synthetic strain of cannabis that has increasingly become a target in Nigeria’s anti-drug crackdown due to its growing popularity among young users.
The agency stated that the arrest forms part of a wider nationwide operation against drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria’s airports and borders.
In another major operation, NDLEA operatives also intercepted a shipment of Tapentadol pills valued at over N2.1 billion. The pharmaceutical consignment, which authorities say originated from India, was seized as part of intensified surveillance against the illegal importation of controlled substances into the country.
The anti-narcotics agency further revealed that additional arrests and seizures were recently carried out at airports in Enugu and Abuja as investigations continue into international drug trafficking syndicates.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations for their vigilance and commitment in disrupting illicit drug networks.
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The latest development has also sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the increasing demand for hard drugs and synthetic substances among youths, a trend observers say continues to fuel international smuggling attempts into the country.
