NDLEA Arrests Grandpa, Recovers Cocaine Concealed In Stockfish

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered cocaine hidden in heads of dry stock fish that were being imported and has apprehended a crucial member of a global drug trafficking network in Lagos State. According to a statement released on Sunday and signed by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the suspect, Akputa Dickson Ejike, was captured by authorities from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command of the Agency in the Ojo area of Lagos after receiving intelligence regarding cross-border criminal activities.

A significant quantity of cocaine, concealed in the heads of dry stock fish, was seized by NDLEA operatives, who also apprehended a key figure in the syndicate involved in shipping the illegal substance worldwide, particularly to India. This crackdown on the drug syndicate was a result of intelligence on their cross-border criminal actions. The operation was a well-coordinated effort by the MMIA Strategic Command of the Agency in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026. During the operation, three large bags were discovered in possession of the ringleader, 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.

The search of the bags led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine hidden in the heads of imported dry stock fish locally known as “Okporoko.” The cocaine pellets weighed a total of 5.80 kilograms and were intended for shipment to Delhi, India.

In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted two illicit packages destined for the United Kingdom at a courier company. One package, originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second parcel included 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.

Furthermore, in a major anti-drug operation, operatives from a Special Operations Unit of the Agency raided the residence of a female head of a notorious drug syndicate, 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, in Yaba, Lagos, leading to the arrest of her and her salesgirl, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka. A significant amount of cannabis, weighing 76.30kg, was confiscated. Omolade, also known as Iya Ghana, was involved in drug distribution between Nigeria and Ghana under the guise of trading local fabric.

Additionally, other arrests were made in different states, including the apprehension of an 80-year-old man in Ekiti state and the seizure of drugs in Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Edo states. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the various commands for their diligent efforts to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse.