The susupect. Photo: NDLEA
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine hidden inside the heads of imported dry stock fish, locally known as “Okporoko,” in Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of a suspected kingpin believed to be part of an international drug trafficking network.
The seizure followed intelligence on the syndicate’s activities, prompting a coordinated sting by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command in Ojo, Lagos on March 19, 2026.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, officers recovered three jumbo bags containing 237 wraps of cocaine, with a total weight of 5.80 kilograms, from 36-year-old suspect Akputa Ejike. The consignment was reportedly destined for Delhi, India.
“A large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish has been intercepted, and a key member of the syndicate involved in shipping the illicit substance internationally has been arrested,” Babafemi said.
Other Major Interceptions in Lagos
On March 25, NDLEA operatives at a Lagos courier company intercepted two illicit shipments bound for the United Kingdom:
- 1.9kg of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters (originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic)
- 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and 9 ampoules of Fentanyl
On March 26, officers raided the home of Omolade Abigail Jolayemi (“Iya Ghana”) in Yaba, Lagos, arresting her and an associate Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka. 135 blocks of “Ghana Loud” cannabis weighing 76.30kg were recovered. Another suspect, Anayo Ohabiro, was arrested at Surulere with 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg.
Crackdowns Across Other States
- Ekiti & Ondo: An 80-year-old man was arrested with 2.2kg of skunk and methamphetamine, while 894.72kg of skunk was seized from an uncompleted building in Ondo State.
- Benue: 116.7kg of skunk was recovered in Pevi village, Guma LGA.
- Edo: A warehouse in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, yielded 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
- Taraba: NDLEA intercepted 135kg of compressed skunk hidden in bags of animal feed, arresting two suspects.
Why This Matters
These operations reveal a growing trend of traffickers using non-traditional concealment methods, including food items, automotive parts, and everyday goods, to export drugs internationally.
The NDLEA, led by Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has emphasized intelligence-led enforcement and urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities.
