NDLEA Busts Major Drug Syndicates, Intercepts Cocaine in Stockfish Heads
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted a significant consignment of cocaine cleverly concealed within the heads of imported stockfish. This major operation also led to the arrest of a key member of the syndicate responsible for shipping this illicit substance globally, with a particular focus on India. The dismantling of this drug network was the result of precise intelligence regarding their trans-border criminal activities, culminating in a well-coordinated sting operation conducted by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command of the NDLEA in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Details of the Cocaine Interception
During the operation, three large bags were discovered in the possession of the alleged kingpin, identified as 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike. A thorough search of these bags revealed 237 wraps of cocaine hidden inside the heads of dry stockfish. The cocaine pellets had a total gross weight of 5.80 kilogrammes and were intended for export to Delhi, India, highlighting the international reach of this criminal enterprise.
Additional Drug Seizures in Lagos
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two illicit consignments destined for the United Kingdom at a courier company on Wednesday, March 25. One shipment, originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed within automobile filters. The second parcel was found to contain 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl, both potent controlled substances.
Raid on Notorious Drug Syndicate
In yet another significant interdiction effort, operatives from a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of the agency raided the residence of a female head of a notorious drug syndicate, 46-year-old Omolade Jolayemi, located at 13, Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos. They arrested her along with her sales assistant, Sarah Agbabiaka, 31, and seized no fewer than 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 76.30kg. Omolade, popularly known as Iya Ghana, operates under the guise of a local fabric trader but actually runs a drug distribution network between Nigeria and Ghana.
On the same day, SOU operatives arrested Anayo Ohabiro, 39, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos, following credible intelligence. They confiscated 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg from him, further disrupting the local drug trade.
State-Wide Drug Busts Across Nigeria
The NDLEA's crackdown extended beyond Lagos, with significant operations in multiple states:
- Ekiti State: An 80-year-old grandfather, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye Ekiti, on Thursday, March 26. A total of 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8g of methamphetamine were recovered from him.
- Ondo State: In the Ogbese area of Akure North, NDLEA officers raided an uncompleted building on the same day, seizing 894.72kg of skunk from another suspect, Kingsley Enuwa, 37.
- Benue State: During a raid on Pevi village, Guma Local Council, on Tuesday, March 24, 116.7kg of skunk was recovered from a suspect, Saater Nyam, 35.
- Edo State: Operatives uncovered a warehouse in Ekpoma town, Esan West Local Council, leading to the arrest of Felix Donald, 25, and the seizure of 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup on Monday, March 23.
- Taraba State: Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck marked DUT 457 ZB, which was conveying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135kg concealed in bags of animal feed from Garbachede to Gombe State on Tuesday, March 24. Two suspects, Osama Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested in connection with this seizure.
WADA Advocacy and Leadership Commendation
The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands continued across the country throughout the past week, emphasizing the agency's dual focus on supply reduction and demand reduction. Meanwhile, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retired), commended the officers and men of the MMIA, SOU, DOGI, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba commands for their diligent work in making these arrests and seizures. He also praised their counterparts in all commands nationwide for maintaining a balanced approach between reducing drug supply and addressing drug demand through educational and preventive efforts.
