NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Concealed in Food Flasks and Cannabis in Snack Packs at Lagos Airport
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made significant drug interceptions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, uncovering illicit substances hidden in everyday items. In a major bust on Thursday, 9 April 2026, officers intercepted a consignment of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms, which was cleverly concealed within the false bottoms of food flasks destined for the United Kingdom.
The cocaine was intended for export via a Virgin Atlantic flight, highlighting the sophisticated methods used by traffickers. NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed in a statement that two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim, aged 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, aged 39, were arrested at the airport’s export shed during the operation.
Follow-Up Arrests and Additional Seizures
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of 52-year-old freight forwarder Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, who was identified as the sender of the consignment. In a separate but related incident at the same airport, officers intercepted 2.90 kilograms of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside snack food packs arriving from the United States.
Following the initial arrest of two clearing agents in this case, the intended recipient, 29-year-old fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, was apprehended in Ogba, Lagos, on 13 April. These operations underscore the agency’s vigilance in tackling drug trafficking through air cargo.
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Networks
The agency’s week-long crackdown extended across several states, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to drug supply reduction. In Kaduna State, officers on the Kaduna-Zaria highway intercepted a cement trailer bound for Jigawa State. A thorough search revealed 847 kilograms of cannabis concealed in 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags, indicating large-scale smuggling efforts.
In Cross River State, a joint operation with the military saw NDLEA officers raid a forest in the Akamkpa local government area. There, they destroyed 15,000 kilograms of cannabis growing on a six-hectare plantation and arrested 53-year-old Alice Sunday Udoh, who was allegedly involved in the cultivation.
Further Raids and Interceptions
Raids in Edo and Delta States on cannabis farms resulted in the destruction of over 2,200 kilograms of the substance and the arrest of five suspects caught with harvested drugs and seeds. Additionally, two suspects were intercepted on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway while attempting to smuggle 11,900 tramadol capsules and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection to Ghana, showcasing the agency’s efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking.
Leadership Commendation and WADA Initiatives
Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various commands for their drug supply reduction efforts. He noted that these enforcement successes were being balanced with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools and communities nationwide.
“We will continue to maintain this tempo to ensure a drug-free society,” Marwa stated, while urging officers to remain steadfast in their nationwide operations. The agency further reported that its advocacy teams conducted enlightenment lectures at various secondary schools in Niger, Cross River, Kogi, Katsina, Kano, and Lagos states throughout the week, emphasizing prevention and education as key components of their strategy.
