In the early hours of January 2, 2025, a Nigerian national was apprehended at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda after a major drug bust.
The suspect was attempting to smuggle a significant amount of cocaine into the country, which was intercepted by a joint operation involving the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) customs officers, the Special Forces Command (SFC), and the Anti-Narcotic Police Unit.
The incident occurred when the suspect, traveling on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, arrived at Entebbe Airport around 00:10 hours.
During routine baggage screening, customs officers noticed irregularities on the scanner images. Upon further inspection, they discovered suspicious tins in the passenger’s luggage that contained concealed narcotics. After a thorough physical check by the Aviation Police Narcotics Team, the substance was confirmed to be cocaine.
The individual was immediately arrested and is now in custody at the Airport Police Station. Authorities are currently investigating the origins of the drugs and trying to trace any potential links to organised crime networks.
The cocaine seized during the operation is classified as a prohibited substance under both international law and Uganda’s national legislation.
According to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) the trafficking of narcotics carries severe legal consequences. Additionally, the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances makes the smuggling of such substances an international offense.
This seizure adds to a growing number of drug busts at the airport. In March 2023, another Nigerian national was linked to the seizure of 9.8 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately Shs 4 billion. In total, over 56 kilograms of narcotics, worth Shs 3 billion, have been confiscated at the airport between 2020 and 2023.
The Uganda Revenue Authority has once again issued a reminder to the public that drug trafficking remains a serious crime with severe consequences. Authorities continue to intensify their efforts to prevent illegal narcotics from entering the country.
