Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish in Lagos. The seizure was made during a strategic operation targeting a trans border drug syndicate that ships narcotics to countries including India.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, officers of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command trailed the syndicate to the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026. During the raid, they arrested a 36 year old suspect, Akputa Dickson Ejike, described as a key member of the network.
A search of three jumbo bags found in his possession led to the discovery of 237 wraps of cocaine buried inside the heads of dry stock fish, locally known as okporoko. The wraps had a combined weight of 5.8 kilograms and were reportedly destined for Delhi, India.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted two consignments at a courier company in Lagos on March 25. The shipments, headed for the United Kingdom, concealed 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine in automobile filters, alongside 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The agency also carried out major raids in other parts of the country. In Ekpoma, Edo State, officers uncovered a warehouse, arrested a 25 year old suspect, Felix Donald, and seized 576.5 kilograms of cannabis, also known as skunk, along with 33 bottles of codeine based syrup.
Similarly, in Taraba State, NDLEA personnel intercepted a truck transporting 135 kilograms of compressed cannabis hidden in bags of animal feed. Two suspects, identified as Osama Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested during the operation.
The NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse campaign is ongoing with sensitisation programmes in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, and Lagos states. These activities aim to reduce demand for illicit drugs while enforcement operations disrupt supply chains.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended the officers involved in the latest seizures. He praised their efforts in exposing the syndicate and urged them to remain vigilant in tracking new methods used by traffickers to hide narcotics.
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