NDLEA intercepts cocaine fish shipment, arresting syndicate kingpin and seizing drugs concealed in dry fish bound for India

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Marwa, on Sunday confirmed that operatives have uncovered a major drug trafficking operation, intercepting cocaine concealed in dry stock fish and arresting a suspected syndicate leader in Lagos.

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The operation, detailed in a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, marks a significant breakthrough in the NDLEA intercepts cocaine fish case.

According to the agency, a sting operation conducted by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command led to the arrest of 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike in the Ojo area of Lagos.

A search of three jumbo bags in his possession revealed 237 wraps of cocaine ingeniously hidden inside the heads of imported dry stock fish, commonly known as “Okporoko”.

The seized cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, was reportedly intended for export to Delhi, India.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier firm in Lagos, uncovering 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, alongside ampoules of morphine sulphate and fentanyl.

The agency also recorded multiple arrests across the country in what officials described as a coordinated and relentless crackdown on drug networks.

In Lagos, operatives raided a residence in Yaba, arresting Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana”, and an associate, with 135 blocks of cannabis weighing 76.30 kilograms recovered.

Another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, was apprehended in Surulere with 41 kilograms of cannabis, while additional seizures were recorded in Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo and Taraba states.

Notably, an 80-year-old suspect was arrested in Ekiti with quantities of illicit substances, underscoring the widespread reach of the drug trade.

Large-scale seizures included nearly 895 kilograms of cannabis in Ondo State and over 576 kilograms recovered from a warehouse in Edo State, alongside codeine-based syrup.

Babafemi said the agency has also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools across several states.

Marwa commended operatives involved in the operations, describing their efforts as decisive in disrupting drug supply chains while maintaining focus on prevention and public awareness.

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The NDLEA intercepts cocaine fish operation highlights evolving smuggling tactics and the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational drug trafficking syndicates.