Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine hidden in the heads of imported dried stock fish, popularly called “Okporoko,” and arrested a suspected kingpin allegedly trafficking the drug to India.

The agency said the seizure followed intelligence on the syndicate’s trans-border criminal activities, which prompted a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.

In a statement  made available to the column.ng  on sunday the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said that during the operation, three jumbo bags were recovered from a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Ejike.

“A large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish has been intercepted by the NDLEA, which also arrested a key member of the syndicate involved in shipping the illicit substance across the world, especially to India.

“The dismantling of the drug syndicate followed intelligence on their trans-border criminal activities. This led to a well-coordinated sting operation by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

“In the course of the operation, three jumbo-sized bags were found in the possession of the kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Ejike.

A search of the bags led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish, locally known as ‘Okporoko.’ The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India.”

In another operation in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives on March 25 intercepted two illicit consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company.

He added that one of the shipments, which originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second parcel contained 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.

Babafemi also said operatives of a Special Operations Unit on March 26 raided the residence of a suspected drug syndicate leader, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, at Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos, arresting her alongside her salesgirl, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka.

“A total of 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 76.30kg, were recovered from them. Jolayemi, popularly known as ‘Iya Ghana,’ allegedly runs a drug distribution network between Nigeria and Ghana under the cover of trading in fabrics,” he added.

On the same day, he said operatives arrested another suspect, Anayo Ohabiro, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos, where 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg were seized.

In Ekiti State, he said NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, during a raid at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye, recovering 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine.

“In Ekiti State, an 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, was on Thursday, March 26, arrested by NDLEA operatives during a special raid operation at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti. A total of 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from him, while 894.72kg of the same psychoactive substance was seized from another suspect, Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, 37, when an uncompleted building was raided by NDLEA officers at Ogbese in the Akure North area of Ondo State on the same day,” he said.

In Benue State, Babafemi said 116.7kg of skunk was recovered from a suspect, Saater Nyam, during a raid at Pevi village in Guma Local Government Area on March 24.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, he said operatives uncovered a warehouse in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

“In Taraba State, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence on Tuesday, March 24, intercepted a truck marked DUT 457 ZB conveying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms, concealed in bags of animal feed, from Garbachede to Gombe State. Two suspects, Osama Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure,” he said.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, DOGI, and commands in Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba states for the arrests and seizures.

He also praised personnel across the country for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

The interception highlights growing attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to conceal illicit substances in food items and export them through international routes.

In recent months, the NDLEA has stepped up intelligence-led operations at airports, courier companies, and across states to dismantle trafficking networks targeting Europe and Asia.