NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden in Dry Fish, Arrests Suspects in Multi-State Crackdown

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden in Dry Fish, Arrests Suspects in Multi-State Crackdown

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a major drug trafficking operation involving cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish, leading to the arrest of a suspected kingpin and multiple seizures across the country.

The agency, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the discovery followed intelligence on a transnational syndicate involved in smuggling illicit substances to destinations including India.

According to the statement, operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command carried out a targeted operation in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026, leading to the arrest of 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.

“A search of the bags led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish locally known as ‘Okporoko’. The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms, and the consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India,” the statement said.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier facility. The agency said 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters and ampoules of morphine sulphate and fentanyl were recovered.

“Two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier company. One shipment from Cotonou contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in automobile filters, while the second parcel contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl,” the agency stated.

The anti-narcotics body also reported a series of raids across multiple states, leading to significant seizures and arrests. In Lagos, a suspected drug syndicate leader, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana,” was arrested alongside an associate, with 76.30 kilograms of cannabis recovered.

“No fewer than 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered from the suspects,” the statement added.

In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, during a raid operation, recovering quantities of skunk and methamphetamine. Additional seizures were recorded in Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba states, involving hundreds of kilograms of illicit drugs and multiple suspects.

The agency said these operations were part of its sustained offensive against drug trafficking networks, alongside ongoing public sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

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

He urged them to maintain momentum in tackling both drug supply and demand, noting the importance of balancing enforcement with public education.