NDLEA intercepts cocaine concealed in food flasks at Lagos airport

Amidst growing concerns over the increase in drug trafficking, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives recently uncovered new methods in narcotics smuggling, discovering 12 large parcels of cocaine concealed in the false bottoms of food flasks.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Media and Advocacy Director, said in a statement on Sunday that the consignment was heading to the UK via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

Agents arrested at Lagos airport export shed

Babafemi said the cocaine consignment, weighing about 2.8kg, was intercepted on Thursday, April 9 2026, by operatives attached to the export shed of the Lagos airport. Two cargo agents involved in the export bid, Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were swiftly arrested.

The NDLEA said further investigation identified freight and forwarding agent Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, 52, as the sender of the consignment. He was arrested in a follow-up operation.
Cannabis found in snack food packs
At the import shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA officials also intercepted a consignment of “Loud”, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 2.9kg, concealed in snack food packs. The package arrived from the US aboard a Delta Airlines flight.

Cargo clearing agents Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun were initially arrested in connection with the seizure. The consignee, fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, 29, was later caught in a follow-up operation at Ogba, Lagos, on Monday, April 13.

Major cannabis seizures in Kaduna and Edo

In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kaduna-Zaria highway intercepted a trailer conveying cement to Jigawa on Monday, April 13. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 847kg. Truck driver Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested.

Read also: NDLEA arrests 93-year-old great grandpa, medical doctor over drug trafficking

A female suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, 53, was arrested on Thursday, April 16, when NDLEA officers supported by soldiers raided a forest in the Akamkpa local government area of Cross River. Approximately 15,000kg of skunk on six hectares of farmland was destroyed during the raid.
In Edo, operatives destroyed 2,281.43kg of cannabis at Saboro camp on Tuesday, April 14. Three suspects — Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45 — were arrested.