Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish, popularly known as “Okporoko,” and arrested a suspected kingpin involved in trafficking the illicit substance to India.
The agency said the seizure followed intelligence on the syndicate’s trans-border criminal activities, which prompted a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said that during the operation, three jumbo bags were recovered from a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Ejike.
“A large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish has been intercepted by the NDLEA, which also arrested a key member of the syndicate involved in shipping the illicit substance across the world, especially to India.
“The dismantling of the drug syndicate followed intelligence on their trans-border criminal activities. This led to a well-coordinated sting operation by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“In the course of the operation, three jumbo-sized bags were found in the possession of the kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Ejike.
A search of the bags led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish, locally known as ‘Okporoko.’ The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India.”
