Crime
NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs hidden in cookies, teddy bears
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a social media–based drug distribution network packaging illicit substances as imported Christmas cookies and snacks, arresting two masterminds in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
According to the statement, the syndicate allegedly imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, alongside colourful designer sachets branded with cookie and snack labels. The packaging, according to investigators, was used to disguise retail quantities of the psychoactive substance.
The syndicate reportedly sold and distributed the drugs through a WhatsApp network.
The statement said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and dismantled a social media network used to distribute illicit substances packaged as imported Christmas cookies and snacks with two masterminds arrested and taken into custody after a raid on their hideout in the Lekki area of Lagos.
“The drug syndicate run by the duo of Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi had imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and a variety of colourful designer sachets with pictures and labels of cookies and snacks printed on them, and used to package the psychoactive substance in retail quantities.
“Following credible intelligence about the activities of the syndicate which operates and distributes through a WhatsApp platform, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 22nd November 2025 raided their apartment at Ojulari street, Ikate area of Lekki where a large quantity of the designer sachets and 5kilograms of Loud were recovered from them at the point of their arrest.
In a separate operation in Lagos, operatives arrested 38-year-old drug kingpin, Philip Ucheka, in Ladipo, Mushin, while he was taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg. Three delivery vehicles used for distribution were also impounded.
The statement added, “In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 27th November arrested a 38-year-old drug kingpin Philip Ucheka while taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg at Ladipo area of Mushin. At the point of his arrest, three delivery vehicles were also seized from him.
At a courier company also in the state, officers intercepted 100 grams of Loud concealed inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand while 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in Vitamin C and Magnesium bottles bound for the United Kingdom were seized from a logistics firm.
The statement added, “At a courier company in Lagos, 100grams of Loud concealed in a teddy bear imported from Thailand were intercepted on Thursday 27th November while a consignment of 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in bottles of Vitamin C and Magnesium going to the United Kingdom were recovered at another logistics firm the following day, Friday 28th November.
In Oyo State, officers arrested 55-year-old Wasiu Kareem with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine, 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 1,500 Co-codamol pills, and 9,900 tramadol capsules.
“In Oyo state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Lagos -Ibadan expressway on Saturday 29th November nabbed a suspect Wasiu Kareem, 55, with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 590 bottles of codeine syrup; 1,500 pills of Co-codamol and 9,900 capsules of tramadol.
In Ondo State, seven suspects were arrested during a raid on the Ipe forest where 3,077kg of skunk was recovered.
The statement added, “No fewer than seven suspects were arrested on Monday 24th November when NDLEA operatives raided the Ipe forest in Akoko South East area of Ondo State where they recovered 3,077 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. Those arrested include: John Ede; Ede Ndubuisi; Ikenna Abe; Eze Chukwuma; Maduabuchi Odo; Nnaji Chudubem and George Okowor.
In Kogi State, Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested along the Okene–Lokoja while transporting 649kg of skunk in a truck.
“While Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested along the Okene/Lokoja highway Kogi state conveying 649kg of skunk in a truck on Wednesday 26th November, NDLEA officers at the Seme Special Area Command on Friday 28th November raided a warehouse at Ashipa, Seme border area of Badagry, Lagos where they arrested a suspect Abubakar Shuaibu, 33, with 487 blocks of skunk weighing 243.5kg.
Along Zaria–Kano Road in Kano, officers arrested 47-year-old Tsalha Alasan with 137kg of skunk on Monday, November 24.
In Bauchi State, three suspects were arrested in Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209kg. A black Toyota Highlander (ABJ 533 EA) used for transportation was also seized.
The statement said, “In Kano, Tsalha Alasan, 47, was arrested along Zaria-Kano road with 137kg skunk on Monday 24th November, while three suspects: Godspower Appeal, 50; Ernest Upong, 55; and Godday Chukwudi, 38, were nabbed on Wednesday 26th November with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209kilograms at Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, Bauchi state. A black Toyota Highlander jeep marked ABJ 533 EA used in conveying the consignment was also recovered from them.
NDLEA officers also arrested 51-year-old John Ekojo with 210.15kg of skunk along the Abuja–Jos highway while a couple, Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were arrested with 725 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition hidden in a sack of maize. Separately, Awwal Sabiu, 20, was caught with 400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at the Abuja/Kaduna tollgate.
“A suspect John Ekojo, 51, was arrested with 210.15kg skunk along Abuja/Jos highway on Saturday 29th November, while a couple: Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were nabbed along Abuja/Kaduna highway with 725 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in a sack of maize just as another suspect Awwal Sabiu, 20, was caught with 400 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition at Abuja/Kaduna tollgate on Friday 28th November, the statement added.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, while speaking to journalists at the residence of the syndicate in the Igando area, on Friday, said the command had achieved another breakthrough.
Jimoh said three members of the gang were apprehended in their residence used as their hideout, where they planned and launched attacks on unsuspecting motorists.
“The syndicate specialised in posing as passengers to dispossess drivers of their vehicles during transit.
“They usually board vehicles as passengers, and as the journey progresses, they rob the owners of their vehicles,” he said.
The police boss cautioned private car owners, especially civil servants and professionals, against carrying unknown passengers for a fee to offset fuel costs.
“It is very dangerous. If you cannot afford fuel, it is better to park your vehicle until you can. Many of these robbers take advantage of such opportunities,” he warned.
He noted that while one of the reported incidents occurred in the Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos, investigations revealed the gang had also operated in Oyo and Edo states.
“Our deep investigation into that single crime led to several recoveries. So far, we have recovered about five vehicles, two of which are here,” he said.
Jimoh said among the exhibits recovered from the suspects were a pump-action automatic weapon, an English-made pistol with erased serial numbers and live cartridges and charms believed to be used for protection during operations.
Jimoh, however, assured residents that the command remained resolute in its fight against crime.“We are on top of our game in terms of crime prevention, control, and prompt detection.
“Lagos is safe, and we will continue to ensure that every criminal act is promptly detected and perpetrators arrested,” he affirmed.
The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals in their communities.
“We want residents to be our first line of defence. If you notice people without a clear means of livelihood or those who move in and out at odd hours, report to us.
“Criminals are not spirits; they live among us,” he said.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for providing logistics, tactical support, and operational vehicles that have enhanced policing in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday.
Kotin, wanted for crimes including inter-border armed banditry, smuggling of firearms and ammunition, cattle rustling, and drug trafficking, was tracked down by operatives of the Police National Central Bureau of Interpol Nigeria.
According to Hundeyin, the arrest came after Interpol Benin Republic contacted Interpol Nigeria in connection with the crimes, noting that seven members of Kotin’s syndicate are already standing trial in Benin, while he fled to Nigeria.
“Acting with precision and working on credible intelligence, operatives of the NPF NCB carried out a discreet operation that led to the arrest of the suspect in Idi Iroko Town, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
“The fugitive was subsequently interrogated on his transnational criminal escapades and officially handed over to officials of NCB Cotonou,” Hundeyin stated.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers involved in the operation, stressing the Force’s commitment to law enforcement cooperation.
“The Nigeria Police Force’s resolute dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty of Nigeria, preserving the rule of law, and strengthening the bonds of cooperation with international counterparts.
“Nigeria will never serve as a safe haven for fugitives or purveyors of crime, no matter how highly placed or deeply networked,” Egbetokun said.
The IGP further assured both Nigerians and the international community of the Police’s “relentless pursuit of criminals, its steadfast partnership with global law enforcement agencies, and its firm obligation to ensuring peace, security, and justice for all.”
According to a statement published on the FBI’s website on Wednesday, Adediran, 56, is accused of attempting to cash fraudulent checks and using stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open bank and credit accounts in Illinois. The alleged crimes date back to 2001, and Adediran reportedly fled the Central District of Illinois in December of that year, shortly before his federal trial was set to begin.
“Olumide Adebiyi Adediran is wanted for Violation of Conditions of Release,” the FBI statement said. “In August of 2001, Adediran allegedly entered a bank in Champaign, Illinois, and attempted to retrieve funds from a deposited fraudulent check. He also allegedly used stolen information of United States citizens to open bank and charge accounts.”
The federal arrest warrant for Adediran was issued on January 2, 2002, by the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, following charges for violating conditions of release. The FBI noted that he has multiple aliases, including Kevin Olumide Adediran, Eric O. Williams, Maxo Alexandre, Olumide Adkins, and Edward N. Anderson.
Described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, Adediran is reported to have ties to South Florida.
“The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Olumide Adebiyi Adediran,” the agency said, urging anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact FBI offices in the United States or the nearest American embassy or consulate.
The FBI also provided a cautionary note, emphasizing that Adediran remains wanted and should be considered a fugitive. “Adediran fled the Central District of Illinois at the end of December 2001, shortly before his trial in the Central District of Illinois was set to begin on federal charges of Bank Fraud, Identification Document Fraud, and Credit Card Fraud,” the statement added.
The FBI encourages anyone with information to submit tips through official channels, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to apprehending individuals accused of financial crimes and ensuring accountability under U.S. law.
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