LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a series of jawdropping operations that read like a Nollywood thriller, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted cocaine disguised in food flasks bound for the UK, Loud cannabis packed inside snack foods from the US, and destroyed over 17,000 kilograms of skunk in jungle raids across Edo and Cross River states.
Among those arrested: a 29yearold fashion designer, multiple cargo agents, a truck driver, and a female suspect caught deep inside a forest farm.
Food Flasks to UK: Cocaine Hidden in False Bottoms
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) export shed uncovered 12 large parcels of cocaine (gross weight: 2.80 kg) concealed in the false bottoms of food flasks. The consignment was destined for the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.
Arrested:
- Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33
- Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39
- Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, 52 (freight forwarding agent – sender of the cocaine)
Key takeaway: Drug cartels are getting creative – but NDLEA is staying ahead.
Cannabis ‘Loud’ Hidden in Snacks from the US
Just one day earlier, on April 8, 2026, NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport import shed intercepted 2.90 kg of Loud (a potent cannabis strain) packed inside snack food packs shipped from the United States aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
Two clearing agents were arrested first, then a followup operation on April 13 led to the arrest of the consignee:
Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, 29 – a fashion designer – nabbed at 3 Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Lagos.
Viral angle: A fashion designer importing weed in snack packs? Social media will eat this up.
Cement Trailer Bust in Kaduna: 847kg of Skunk Seized
On the same Monday, April 13, NDLEA patrol teams along the KadunaZaria highway intercepted a cementbound trailer heading to Hadeja, Jigawa State.
Hidden inside:
- 760 blocks of skunk
- 33 jumbo bags of cannabis
- Total weight: 847 kg
Driver arrested: Umar Garba Haruna, 33.
Forest Raids: 17,000+ kg of Skunk Destroyed
Cross River State (April 16)
- Location: Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA
- 15,000 kg of skunk destroyed on 6 hectares of farmland
- 119 kg recovered
- Suspect: Alice Sunday Udoh, 53 (arrested)
Edo State (April 14)
- Location: Saboro camp, Ovia North East LGA
- 2,281.43 kg destroyed
- Arrests: Nweke Smart (27), Christopher Egbe (62), Monday Ayan (45)
Delta State (April 17)
- Location: Powerline area, Okwo
- 87.838 kg of skunk + seeds seized
- Arrests: Sunday Odili (49), Ijenebe Joshua (39) Tramadol, Phenobarbital & More in Lagos
On April 15, NDLEA arrested Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu at Mile 2, LagosBadagry expressway. Inside their truck:
- 11,900 capsules of tramadol
- 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection
- Destination: Ghana
The same day, a raid on a twostorey building in Petti, Lagos Island yielded 95.8 kg of skunk.
WADA Sensitization: The Other Side of the War
Beyond seizures, NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) with school visits, worship center programs, and community outreach. Recent locations include:
- Alfurgan Islamic School, Paiko (Niger)
- Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar
- Heritage Model School, Ankpa (Kogi)
- Government Day Secondary School, Kankia (Katsina)
- Government Senior Secondary School, Rano (Kano)
- De Ambassador Secondary School, Epe (Lagos) NDLEA Chairman Speaks
“I commend our officers for balancing drug supply reduction with WADA sensitization. Maintain the tempo.”
— Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), NDLEA Chairman/CEO
Source: NDLEA- https://ndlea.gov.ng/news/ndlea-intercepts-cocaine-loud-in-food-flasks-snacks-arrests-fashion-designer-others
