NDLEA Busts Syndicate Selling Drugs Disguised As Christmas Treats

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a social media network in Lagos that packaged illicit drugs as imported Christmas cookies and snacks. Two key suspects, Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, were arrested after operatives raided their hideout in Ikate, Lekki, recovering designer sachets and 5kg of Canadian Loud.

In a separate Lagos operation, the agency apprehended 38-year-old Philip Ucheka while he received 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg, alongside three delivery vehicles. NDLEA also intercepted 100g of Loud hidden in a teddy bear from Thailand and seized 548 tramadol capsules concealed in vitamin bottles bound for the UK.

Along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway, officers arrested Wasiu Kareem, 55, with large quantities of pentazocine injections, codeine syrup, Co-codomol pills and tramadol. In Ondo State, seven suspects were detained at Ipe forest where 3,077kg of skunk was recovered.

Additional arrests were made across Kogi, Lagos, Kano, Bauchi and the Abuja–Jos axis, leading to the seizure of several tonnes of skunk and multiple rounds of live ammunition. A Toyota Highlander used for drug transport was also confiscated.

The NDLEA noted that its WADA sensitisation campaigns continued nationwide across schools, ports, worship centres and workplaces.

Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) praised officers across the involved Commands for their successful operations and urged sustained commitment to the agency’s drug control mission.