The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disrupted a major trans-border drug syndicate, seizing a significant consignment of cocaine concealed within the heads of imported dry stockfish, popularly known as “Okporoko.”
In a statement released on Sunday, March 29, 2026, by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, the agency revealed that the operation was the result of targeted intelligence-led policing. The illicit shipment was destined for Delhi, India, a primary hub for the syndicate’s global distribution network.
The Lagos “Okporoko” Sting
On Thursday, March 19, 2026, operatives from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command conducted a coordinated raid in the Ojo area of Lagos.
- The Arrest: Operatives apprehended the suspected kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.
- The Seizure: Three jumbo-sized bags were recovered containing 237 wraps of cocaine meticulously buried inside the dried fish heads.
- Weight: The total gross weight of the cocaine pellets was recorded at 5.80 kilograms.
Nationwide Interdiction Highlights (March 23–26, 2026)
The NDLEA also reported a series of successful raids across multiple states over the past week, targeting various strains of narcotics:
| Location | Suspect(s) | Seizure Highlights |
| Yaba, Lagos | Omolade Abigail Jolayemi (46) & Sarah Agbabiaka (31) | 135 blocks of “Ghana Loud” (76.30kg). Jolayemi, known as “Iya Ghana,” allegedly used a fabric business as a front. |
| Surulere, Lagos | Anayo Lucky Ohabiro (39) | 78 blocks of “Ghana Loud” (41kg). |
| Ogbese, Ondo | Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley (37) | 894.72kg of psychoactive substances recovered from an uncompleted building. |
| Ekpoma, Edo | Felix Donald (25) | 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup found in a warehouse. |
| Taraba/Gombe | Osama Mamuda (21) & Auwal Umar (22) | 135kg of compressed skunk concealed in animal feed bags on a truck. |
| Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti | Oke Samuel (80) | 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8g of methamphetamine seized from the octogenarian. |
Courier Interceptions to the UK
On Wednesday, March 25, the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two specialized shipments at a Lagos courier firm heading to the United Kingdom:
- Methamphetamine (1.9kg): Concealed inside automobile filters originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic.
- Synthetic Opioids: A parcel containing 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended the officers for their vigilance, particularly noting the creative but unsuccessful concealment methods used by the stockfish syndicate. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to making Nigeria a difficult transit point for international drug cartels.
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