NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Syndicates: Cocaine Found in Stockfish Heads.

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a string of successful interdiction operations across the country, leading to the seizure of diverse illicit substances and the arrest of several high-profile syndicate members.

The "Stockfish" Sting Operation

In a notable breakthrough, NDLEA operatives intercepted a large consignment of cocaine cleverly concealed within the heads of imported dried stockfish, locally known as "Okporoko." Following a coordinated sting operation by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command, 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike was arrested in the Ojo area of Lagos.

A search of his possession revealed three jumbo-sized bags containing 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 5.80kg. Intelligence suggests the shipment was destined for Delhi, India.

International Smuggling Routes Disrupted

Further operations by the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) led to the interception of two UK-bound parcels at a courier firm in Lagos:

• Methamphetamine: 1.9kg of the substance, originating from the Benin Republic, was found hidden inside automobile filters.

• Pharmaceutical Opioids: A second package contained 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.

Takedown of "Iya Ghana" and Other Regional Busts

On March 26, a Special Operations Unit raided the Yaba residence of 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi (alias "Iya Ghana"). While posing as a fabric merchant, Jolayemi allegedly headed a notorious drug network between Nigeria and Ghana. Operatives recovered 135 blocks of "Ghana Loud" (a potent cannabis strain) weighing 76.30kg.

Other significant arrests and seizures include:

• Surulere, Lagos: Anayo Lucky Ohabiro was apprehended with 78 blocks of cannabis (41kg).

• Ekiti State: An 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested with 2.2kg of cannabis and 1.8g of methamphetamine.

• Ondo State: 894.72kg of psychoactive substances were recovered from an uncompleted building in Akure North.

• Taraba State: A truck transporting 135kg of cannabis concealed in animal feed bags was intercepted; two suspects were detained.

A Balanced Approach: Supply and Demand

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the various commands for their vigilance. He emphasized the importance of the agency’s dual strategy: aggressive supply reduction through seizures and demand reduction through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy program.

Educational sensitization lectures were held concurrently in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, and Lagos states to steer youth away from drug abuse.