NDLEA dismantles drug syndicate packaging illicit substances as Christmas cookies, arrests distributors in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a social media-based drug distribution network packaging illicit substances as imported Christmas cookies and snacks. Two suspects believed to be masterminds of the syndicate — Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi — were arrested following a raid on their apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, the group imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, which they repackaged in colourful designer sachets bearing images of cookies and snacks. The syndicate allegedly operated through a WhatsApp platform to distribute the psychoactive products in retail quantities.
Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives raided the syndicate’s hideout on Ojulari Street, Ikate, Lekki, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The operation led to the recovery of the designer packaging materials and 5kg of Loud.
In a separate Lagos operation, NDLEA officers on Thursday, November 27, apprehended a 38-year-old drug kingpin, Philip Ucheka, while he took delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg in the Ladipo area of Mushin. Three delivery vehicles allegedly used in the distribution network were also seized.
The agency also intercepted other concealed shipments at courier logistics facilities. On Thursday, November 27, a parcel containing 100 grams of Loud hidden inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand was seized. A day later, 548 tramadol capsules concealed in bottles of Vitamin C and magnesium destined for the United Kingdom were intercepted.
NDLEA operations extended across several states during the week. In Oyo State, officers patrolling the Lagos–Ibadan expressway arrested 55-year-old Wasiu Kareem with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine, 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 1,500 Co-codamol pills and 9,900 capsules of tramadol.
Seven suspects were also arrested on Monday, November 24, when operatives raided the Ipe Forest in Akoko South East LGA of Ondo State, recovering 3,077kg of skunk. Those apprehended include John Ede, Ede Ndubuisi, Ikenna Abe, Eze Chukwuma, Maduabuchi Odo, Nnaji Chudubem and Gorge Okowor.
In Kogi State, Anthony Sylvester, 49, was detained along the Okene–Lokoja highway on Wednesday, November 26, while transporting 649kg of skunk in a truck. Similar enforcement in Lagos’ border axis saw NDLEA operatives at the Seme Special Area Command arrest 33-year-old Abubakar Shuaibu on Friday, November 28, with 487 blocks of skunk weighing 243.5kg in a warehouse at Ashipa, Badagry.
More arrests were recorded in Kano and Bauchi. On Monday, November 24, operatives intercepted 47-year-old Tsalha Alasan along the Zaria–Kano road with 137kg of skunk. Three other suspects — Godspower Appeal, 50; Ernest Upong, 55; and Godday Chukwudi, 38 — were arrested on Wednesday, November 26, at Fanshanu Village in Toro LGA of Bauchi State with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209kg. A Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number ABJ 533 EA used to transport the consignment was seized.
Another suspect, John Ekojo, 51, was arrested on the Abuja–Jos highway on Saturday, November 29, with 210.15kg of skunk.
Separately, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna recorded two major seizures of military-grade ammunition. A couple, Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were arrested along the Abuja–Kaduna highway with 725 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition hidden in a sack of maize. Another suspect, Awwal Sabiu, 20, was nabbed at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate on Friday, November 28, with 400 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation across the country, delivering lectures to students, ports workers, community organisations and religious institutions.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the operatives in Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Seme and Bauchi for their successful operations. He urged officers nationwide to maintain the balanced approach to drug control and enforcement.
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