By Peter Omopo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a major drug trafficking operation involving cocaine concealed in dry stockfish and arrested several suspects across multiple states.
In a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives intercepted a consignment of cocaine hidden inside the heads of imported stockfish, popularly known as “okporoko,” in Lagos.
The agency said a key member of a transnational drug syndicate, identified as 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike, was arrested during a coordinated sting operation in the Ojo area of the state by officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command.
According to the NDLEA, a search of three jumbo bags in the suspect’s possession led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms. The illicit consignment was reportedly intended for export to Delhi, India.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two drug shipments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company in Lagos. The agency said 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters was recovered from a consignment originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic. Another parcel was found to contain 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The agency also carried out a raid in Yaba, Lagos, leading to the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana,” alongside her associate, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka. Officials said 135 blocks of cannabis, weighing 76.3 kilograms, were recovered during the operation.
In another Lagos operation, a suspect identified as Anayo Lucky Ohabiro was arrested in Surulere, with 78 blocks of cannabis weighing 41 kilograms seized from him.
Beyond Lagos, the NDLEA reported further arrests and seizures across the country. In Ekiti State, an 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, was arrested with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and a small quantity of methamphetamine.
In Ondo State, operatives raided an uncompleted building in Akure North, recovering 894.72 kilograms of skunk from a suspect identified as Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley.
In Benue State, 116.7 kilograms of skunk was seized from a suspect during a raid in Guma Local Government Area, while in Edo State, officers uncovered a warehouse in Ekpoma, leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect and the recovery of 576.5 kilograms of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
Similarly, in Taraba State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck transporting 135 kilograms of compressed cannabis concealed in bags of animal feed. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for the successful operations, urging continued efforts to balance drug supply reduction with demand reduction initiatives.
