Nigerian police intercepts Cyprus-bound cocaine hidden in shoes

Nigerian authorities on Sunday said they intercepted cocaine and opioids hidden in shoes, clothing, and other items bound for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Cyprus.

The Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that 250 grams of cocaine were found concealed in shoe soles destined for Cyprus.

A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi said “The NDLEA intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.”

Babafemi added: “While no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and the UK were discovered by the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos.”

The agency seized five kilograms of cocaine in 2024 alone.

The Global Crime Index identifies Cyprus’ summer resorts of Ayia Napa and Paralimni as key hubs for the cocaine market.