NDLEA Busts Major Drug Rings, Intercepts Cocaine in Food Flasks, Arrests Designer

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded a series of major breakthroughs, intercepting cocaine shipments concealed in food flasks and snacks, arresting multiple suspects, including a fashion designer, and destroying tonnes of illicit drugs across several states.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives uncovered 12 large parcels of cocaine hidden in false compartments of food flasks destined for the United Kingdom. The consignment, weighing 2.80 kilograms, was intercepted at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

Two cargo agents, Ama Ufeim and Ogabi Akorede, were arrested in connection with the attempted export. Further investigations led to the arrest of a 52 year old freight forwarder, Agoro Moninuola, identified as the sender of the illicit shipment.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 29 year old Lagos based fashion designer, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, over an attempt to smuggle Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, into Nigeria from the United States. The drugs were concealed in snack food packs.

Two cargo clearing agents, Animashaun Adetunji and Mercy Oluwasegun, were initially apprehended before Adegoke was tracked and arrested at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.

The agency’s operations extended beyond Lagos. In Kaduna, operatives intercepted a cement laden trailer en route to Hadeja in Jigawa State. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk. The driver, Umar Garba Haruna, was arrested.

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa Local Government Area, where 15,000 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on six hectares of farmland were destroyed. A suspect, 53 year old Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested, while 119 kilograms of the substance were recovered.

Similarly, in Edo State, a raid on a cannabis farm at Saboro camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area led to the destruction of 2,281.43 kilograms of the drug. Three suspects, Nweke Smart, Christopher Egbe, and Monday Ayan, were arrested during the operation.

The NDLEA also confirmed additional arrests and seizures in Delta and Lagos States as part of its ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.

The agency reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug networks and curbing the spread of illicit substances across the country.