Two arrested as NDLEA uncovers illicit drugs packaged as Christmas cookies in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has uncovered a Lagos drug syndicate that packaged Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — as imported Christmas cookies and snacks.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said two suspects linked to the network were arrested following a raid on their hideout in the Lekki area of the state.

Babafemi said the suspects, identified as Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, were arrested on November 22 after operatives invaded their apartment on Ojulari Street, Ikate, Lekki.

He said the duo allegedly imported colourful designer sachets branded with cookie and snack labels and used them to package cannabis for retail distribution through a WhatsApp channel.

The NDLEA spokesperson said a total of 5kg of Canadian Loud and a large quantity of packaging material were recovered.

NATIONWIDE RAIDS

In a separate operation in Mushin on November 27, NDLEA officers arrested Philip Ucheka, a suspected drug kingpin, while he was taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg.

Babafemi said three delivery vehicles were seized during the operation.

NDLEA said 100g of Loud stuffed inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos, while another logistics firm was used in an attempt to ship 548 tramadol capsules concealed in bottles of vitamin C and magnesium to the UK on November 28.

In Oyo, officers on patrol along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway arrested Wasiu Kareem, 55, with thousands of prescription opioids and syrups, including pentazocine, tramadol, Co-codamol and codeine.

Seven suspects were arrested during a raid on the Ipe forest in Akoko south-east, Ondo state, where operatives recovered 3,077kg of skunk.

In Kogi, a suspect, Anthony Sylvester, was arrested with 649kg of skunk along the Okene–Lokoja highway.

At Seme border, operatives seized 243.5kg of skunk and arrested one Abubakar Shuaibu.

In Kano, NDLEA personnel intercepted Tsalha Alasan with 137kg of skunk along the Zaria–Kano road, while in Bauchi, three suspects were arrested with 209kg of the substance.

In Abuja, John Ekojo was caught with 210.15kg of skunk along the Abuja–Jos highway.

A couple was also arrested on the Abuja–Kaduna highway with 725 rounds of live ammunition hidden in a sack of maize, while another suspect, Awwal Sabiu, was found with 400 rounds of ammunition at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate.

Babafemi added that NDLEA commands nationwide also intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities across schools, worship centres, ports and communities.