NDLEA dismantles Lagos syndicate hiding cannabis, tramadol, and firearms, seizing kilos of drugs and ammunition across multiple states.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated drug trafficking network in Lagos, exposing a syndicate that disguised cannabis and other narcotics as imported Christmas cookies and snacks.
Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives arrested key suspects and seized large quantities of psychoactive substances, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking and safeguarding communities.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the network was operated by Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, who imported Canadian Loud, a highly potent cannabis strain.
The suspects concealed the drug in brightly coloured sachets printed with images of cookies and snacks, using social media platforms such as WhatsApp to distribute them across Lagos in retail quantities.
Babafemi stressed that traffickers are increasingly using innovative methods to evade detection, but NDLEA remains vigilant and intelligence-driven in its approach.
The breakthrough came on Saturday, 22 November 2025, when NDLEA operatives raided an apartment on Ojulari Street, Ikate, Lekki.
Officers recovered approximately 5 kilograms of Canadian Loud along with hundreds of designer sachets ready for distribution.
The arrest of Adesanya and Majekodunmi effectively dismantled a dangerous WhatsApp-based distribution channel, cutting off the syndicate’s connection to numerous buyers in the city.
In a related operation, NDLEA arrested Philip Ucheka, a 38-year-old suspected drug kingpin, while he was taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6 kilograms at Ladipo, Mushin on Thursday, 27 November.
Authorities also seized three delivery vehicles used for transporting the narcotics. Babafemi noted that this seizure represents one of the largest cannabis hauls intercepted by NDLEA in Lagos this year.
NDLEA’s enforcement extended beyond cannabis. On Thursday, 27 November, officers intercepted 100 grams of Canadian Loud hidden inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand.
The next day, 548 tramadol capsules disguised in bottles labelled as Vitamin C and Magnesium, destined for the United Kingdom, were also seized.
These operations highlight NDLEA’s vigilance not only in urban distribution but also at logistics hubs and courier services.
The agency’s reach stretches across multiple states. On Saturday, 29 November, NDLEA operatives patrolling the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State arrested Wasiu Kareem, 55, with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine injections, 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 1,500 Co-codamol pills, and 9,900 tramadol capsules.
Babafemi emphasized that NDLEA’s ability to operate across state borders strengthens its campaign against organized drug trafficking.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, 24 November, NDLEA conducted a raid in the Ipe Forest, Akoko South-East, Ondo State, recovering 3,077 kilograms of skunk cannabis and arresting seven suspects: John Ede, Ede Ndubuisi, Ikenna Abe, Eze Chukwuma, Maduabuchi Odo, Nnaji Chudubem, and George Okowor.
Babafemi described this seizure as a major blow to cannabis trafficking in southwestern Nigeria, underscoring NDLEA’s focus on intercepting drugs before they reach urban markets.
NDLEA has also targeted large-scale transport networks. On Wednesday, 26 November, Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested along the Okene–Lokoja Highway in Kogi State while transporting 649 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
Two days later, NDLEA raided a warehouse at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, arresting Abubakar Shuaibu, 33, and recovering 487 blocks of skunk weighing 243.5 kilograms.
These operations show how NDLEA combines intelligence, surveillance, and rapid response to dismantle entire supply chains.
In northern Nigeria, NDLEA officers apprehended Tsalha Alasan, 47, on Monday, 24 November, along the Zaria–Kano Road with 137 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
On Wednesday, 26 November, three suspects—Godspower Appeal, 50; Ernest Upong, 55; and Godday Chukwudi, 38—were caught in Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, Bauchi State, transporting 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209 kilograms.
A black Toyota Highlander used for drug transport was also seized, further disrupting trafficking networks.
NDLEA’s operations also extended to illegal arms seizures. On Saturday, 29 November, along the Abuja–Jos Highway, John Ekojo, 51, was arrested with 210.15 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
On the Abuja–Kaduna Highway, a couple—Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35—were intercepted carrying 725 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition hidden in a sack of maize.
The following day, Awwal Sabiu, 20, was caught at the Abuja–Kaduna toll gate with 400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Babafemi highlighted that these seizures reinforce NDLEA’s commitment to controlling both drugs and associated criminal activities.
The recent arrests and seizures across Lagos, Ondo, Kogi, Bauchi, Kano, and Abuja demonstrate NDLEA’s multi-state strategy and operational effectiveness.
By targeting sophisticated networks, leveraging intelligence, and acting swiftly, NDLEA continues to dismantle organized drug syndicates, prevent the proliferation of illicit substances, and protect public safety.
Babafemi urged citizens to cooperate with the agency by reporting suspicious activity, emphasizing that NDLEA relies on community support to enhance its intelligence-gathering efforts.
As traffickers continue to develop new concealment methods and distribution channels, NDLEA’s proactive approach ensures that drug syndicates are disrupted before they can harm communities.
Through relentless enforcement, cross-border cooperation, and public awareness campaigns, NDLEA has reinforced its role as Nigeria’s primary anti-narcotics agency, successfully confronting both urban and large-scale trafficking networks.
Ireport247news
About The Author
