The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of cocaine concealed in food flasks and cannabis hidden in snack packs.
This led to the arrest of a fashion designer, cargo agents, and other suspects across multiple operations in Lagos and other states.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s director of media and advocacy, femi babafemi, the NDLEA said operatives recovered 12 parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms at the export section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
The shipment, concealed in false compartments of food flasks, was reportedly headed for the United Kingdom on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
“The illicit consignment… was bound for the United Kingdom,” the statement said, adding that the interception on April 9 led to the arrest of two cargo agents, while further investigation resulted in the detention of a 52-year-old freight forwarder alleged to have sent the drugs.
In a separate operation at the import shed of the same airport, NDLEA operatives also recovered 2.90 kilograms of cannabis, known as “loud,” hidden inside snack packs on a Delta Airlines flight from the United States.
The discovery led to the arrest of two clearing agents, while the intended recipient, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was later apprehended in Lagos.
Elsewhere, the agency reported several nationwide raids and interceptions. Along the Kaduna–Zaria highway, officers seized a truck loaded with cement that was found to be carrying 847 kilograms of skunk cannabis concealed in 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags, resulting in the arrest of the driver.
In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives destroyed a large cannabis farm covering about six hectares and weighing an estimated 15,000 kilograms, while also arresting a 53-year-old suspect during the raid in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
Similar operations in Edo State led to the destruction of over 2,200 kilograms of cannabis and the arrest of three suspects, while in Delta State, two individuals were arrested with nearly 88 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In Lagos, another two suspects were intercepted along the Mile 2–Badagry corridor while allegedly transporting thousands of tramadol capsules and phenobarbital injections to Ghana. A separate raid on Lagos Island also uncovered additional cannabis stock.
The NDLEA said its nationwide operations are being reinforced by ongoing public sensitisation campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which targets schools, religious centres, and communities.
Mohamed Buba Marwa, the chairman of the agency, praised operatives for their efforts and urged sustained vigilance in both enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
