Tuesday, March 31, 2026 - Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish, popularly known as “Okporoko,” and arrested a suspected kingpin involved in trafficking the illicit substance to India.
The agency said the seizure followed intelligence on the
syndicate’s trans-border criminal activities, which prompted a coordinated
sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Strategic Command in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi
Babafemi, said that during the operation, three jumbo bags were recovered from
a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Ejike.
“A large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of
imported dry stock fish has been intercepted by the NDLEA, which also arrested
a key member of the syndicate involved in shipping the illicit substance across
the world, especially to India.
“The dismantling of the drug syndicate followed intelligence
on their trans-border criminal activities. This led to a well-coordinated sting
operation by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency in the Ojo
area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“In the course of the operation, three jumbo-sized bags were
found in the possession of the kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa 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. The
consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India.”
In another operation in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA
operatives on March 25 intercepted two illicit consignments bound for the
United Kingdom at a courier company.
He added that one of the shipments, which originated from
Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed
in automobile filters, while the second parcel contained 40 ampoules of
Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.
Babafemi also said operatives of a Special Operations Unit
on March 26 raided the residence of a suspected drug syndicate leader, Omolade
Abigail Jolayemi, at Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos, arresting her alongside her
salesgirl, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka.
“A total of 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis
weighing 76.30kg, were recovered from them. Jolayemi, popularly known as ‘Iya
Ghana,’ allegedly runs a drug distribution network between Nigeria and Ghana
under the cover of trading in fabrics,” he added.
On the same day, he said operatives arrested another
suspect, Anayo Ohabiro, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos, where 78 blocks of
Ghana Loud weighing 41kg were seized.
In Ekiti State, he said NDLEA operatives arrested an
80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, during a raid at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road,
Efon-Alaaye, recovering 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine.
“In Ekiti State, an 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, was on
Thursday, March 26, arrested by NDLEA operatives during a special raid
operation at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti. A total of 2.2kg
of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from him, while
894.72kg of the same psychoactive substance was seized from another suspect,
Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, 37, when an uncompleted building was raided by NDLEA
officers at Ogbese in the Akure North area of Ondo State on the same day,” he said.
In Benue State, Babafemi said 116.7kg of skunk was recovered
from a suspect, Saater Nyam, during a raid at Pevi village in Guma Local
Government Area on March 24.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, he said operatives uncovered a
warehouse in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of
Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of
codeine-based syrup.
“In Taraba State, NDLEA officers acting on credible
intelligence on Tuesday, March 24, intercepted a truck marked DUT 457 ZB
conveying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms, concealed in
bags of animal feed, from Garbachede to Gombe State. Two suspects, Osama
Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure,”
he said.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.
Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Special
Operations Unit, DOGI, and commands in Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba
states for the arrests and seizures.
He also praised personnel across the country for maintaining
a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
The interception highlights growing attempts by drug
trafficking syndicates to conceal illicit substances in food items and export
them through international routes.
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