Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation in which cocaine was concealed in tins of palm kernel oil bound for the United Kingdom.
The discovery, which followed a three-week intelligence-led operation, led to the dismantling of the syndicate, the arrest of its kingpin, and the recovery of critical evidence, including hundreds of modified tins prepared for drug concealment.
”The breakthrough came on March 11, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, where NDLEA officers intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside tins of palm kernel extract at the export shed,” a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday revealed.
The consignment, disguised as a legitimate export, was destined for the UK.
Babafemi described the concealment method as both deliberate and meticulous, with traffickers draining the oil content from the tins to create space for the illicit substance before resealing them for export.
”Two suspects linked to the shipment, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested at the scene, setting off a chain of operations that exposed the inner workings of the syndicate.”
A follow-up sting operation on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who had been operating under a false identity.
His capture provided investigators with the crucial link needed to track down the alleged mastermind, 52-year-old King Arinze.
Arinze was eventually apprehended at a hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos and taken to his warehouse at Bucknor, where NDLEA operatives uncovered the scale and sophistication of the operation.
At the facility, officers recovered 886 tins of palm kernel oil prepared for drug concealment, along with industrial tools including sealing machines, tin openers, and paint sprays used to perfect the disguise. Small quantities of cannabis and other materials linked to the operation were also seized.
Investigators say Arinze admitted to personally orchestrating the concealment process.
The NDLEA said the case highlights a growing trend of traffickers exploiting legitimate export goods to evade detection, raising fresh concerns about the evolving tactics of international drug networks.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation underscores the agency’s strengthened intelligence capabilities and resolve to dismantle drug supply chains.
“These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels. Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them”, Marwa stated.
In Adamawa state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Namtari road, Yola South on Monday, 30th March, intercepted a trailer marked RUW 947 XA transporting 48,000 pills of tramadol. The truck driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, was arrested while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the recipient, Idris Adamu.
While 60-year-old Idiatu Oladejo was arrested with 15kg of skunk in Isale Osun, Osogbo, Osun state, on Wednesday, 1st April, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided the Itaogbolu forest, Akure, Ondo state, where they recovered 351 kilograms of skunk and its seeds.
No fewer than 28,600 capsules of tramadol were seized from a 66-year-old Aminu Usman Gembu when he was arrested at Aliade, Benue state, on Wednesday, 1st April.
In Edo state, a suspect, Roland Owie, 37, was arrested on Monday, 30th March, following the raid of his warehouse at Egbanke community, Orhionmwon LGA, where 1,378 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
A notorious drug dealer, 40-year-old Ayantola Omodunmomi (a.k.a Iya Elle) was on Wednesday, 1st April arrested at Eleta area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Her arrest follows intelligence and surveillance on how she uses her 11-year-old daughter, Anjola, to deliver illicit drugs to her customers. At the time of her arrest, a 45.6kg skunk was recovered from her warehouse.
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