NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Bound For UK, Arrests Suspects In Nationwide Drug Raids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 12 parcels of cocaine concealed in food flasks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, in a series of operations that led to multiple arrests and seizures across the country.

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The illicit consignment, weighing 2.80 kilograms, was discovered in the false bottom of food flasks destined for the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.

The drugs were intercepted on April 9, 2026, by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

Two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were arrested in connection with the shipment.

Further investigation led to the arrest of a 52-year-old freight forwarder, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, identified as the sender of the consignment.

In a related operation, NDLEA officers at the import shed of the airport intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack packs and flown in from the United States aboard a Delta Airlines flight.

Two clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested.

The consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was later apprehended at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.

847kg Of Skunk Seized In Kaduna

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a trailer loaded with cement along the Kaduna-Zaria highway. A search of the vehicle uncovered 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 847 kilograms.

The driver, Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested.

In Cross River State, a 53-year-old suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested after NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA.

During the operation, 15,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on six hectares of farmland were destroyed, while 119 kilograms were recovered.

Further operations led to significant seizures across several states. In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis farm in Ovia North-East LGA, destroying 2,281.43kg of the substance.

Three suspects, Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45, were arrested, with 38.5kg recovered from two of them.

In Delta State, two suspects, Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39, were apprehended with 87.838kg of skunk and seeds.

In Lagos, Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu were arrested along the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway while transporting 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection to Ghana.

On the same day, operatives raided a building on Lagos Island, recovering 95.8kg of skunk.

Agency Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaigns

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse campaign with sensitisation programmes across schools and communities nationwide.

These included outreach efforts in Niger, Cross River, Kogi, Katsina, Kano, and Lagos states, targeting students and the general public.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for their efforts.

He praised the balance between drug supply reduction and public sensitisation, urging personnel to sustain the momentum in the fight against drug abuse.

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