NDLEA Dismantles Drug Syndicate, Seizes Cocaine Hidden in Food Flasks

NDLEA Dismantles Drug Syndicate, Seizes Cocaine Hidden in Food Flasks

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a large-scale drug trafficking network involving cocaine, cannabis (skunk/loud), tramadol, and other controlled substances, with coordinated operations leading to arrests and seizures across Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, Delta, Cross River, and other states.

The agency revealed that one of its most significant interceptions took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, where operatives discovered 12 parcels of cocaine concealed in the false bottom of food flasks bound for the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight. The consignment, weighing 2.80kg, was seized on April 9, 2026, during a routine inspection at the export shed.

Two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim and Ogabi Monday Akorede, were arrested at the scene, while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged sender, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, a 52-year-old freight and forwarding agent.

In a separate operation at the same airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.90kg of “Loud,” a strong strain of cannabis, hidden inside snack food packs imported from the United States via a Delta Airlines flight. Two clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested, while the consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was later apprehended in Lagos.

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The agency also reported a major seizure in Kaduna State, where operatives intercepted a trailer loaded with cement along the Kaduna–Zaria highway. A search uncovered 847kg of skunk concealed inside 760 cement blocks and 33 jumbo bags, leading to the arrest of the truck driver, Umar Garba Haruna.

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, raided a forest farm in Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA, destroying about 15,000kg of skunk cultivated on six hectares of farmland and recovering 119kg of the substance. A female suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested.

Similarly, in Edo State, operatives destroyed over 2,281kg of cannabis at Saboro camp, Ovia North East LGA, arresting suspects including Nweke Smart, Christopher Egbe, and Monday Ayan. In Delta State, two suspects, Sunday Odili and Ijenebe Joshua, were arrested with 87.8kg of skunk and cannabis seeds.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers also intercepted a truck along the Lagos–Badagry expressway carrying 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection en route to Ghana. Suspects Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu were arrested.

In another Lagos Island operation, a two-storey building at Petti was raided, resulting in the recovery of 95.8kg of skunk.

The NDLEA said it has also intensified its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, with sensitisation programmes held in schools, religious centres, and communities across the country.

Chairman of the agency, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations nationwide, praising their efforts in drug supply reduction, drug trafficking interception, and anti-narcotics enforcement, while urging sustained vigilance against evolving drug smuggling tactics.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and curbing the spread of illicit substances across Nigeria and beyond.

NDLEA Dismantles Drug Syndicate, Seizes Cocaine Hidden in Food Flasks