The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a convicted drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, and three cargo agents following the seizure of cocaine concealed in factory-sealed sachets of liquid starch and bound for the United Kingdom.
The agency said 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilogrammes were recovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.
According to him, three cargo agents — Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane — were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in connection with the attempted exportation of the illicit drugs.
Babafemi said further investigation linked the consignment to Nwobodo, 37, who was arrested the following day at a relaxation centre in Ikeja during a follow-up operation.
“The suspect, a notorious drug trafficker previously convicted in 2023 for trafficking 30.10kg of methamphetamine, has again been arrested following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the UK,” he said.
He added that records showed Nwobodo was earlier arrested in May 2023 over a methamphetamine consignment concealed in powdered custard containers destined for London.
Babafemi said the suspect was arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, in Charge No: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine and one-month community service, with effect from Dec. 4, 2023.
“He paid the fine and shortly after returned to the same criminal activity,” Babafemi said.
In related operations, the NDLEA also arrested a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, in Gombe State while transporting 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 tablets of tramadol and other opioids along the Gombe–Biu highway, en route to Biu, Borno State.
The agency further said a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), was arrested in Lagos over an earlier seizure of 26kg of “Loud” cannabis at the Tincan Island Port.
Babafemi explained that the cannabis consignment, made up of 56 parcels, was seized on Dec. 10, 2025, during a joint container examination involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
“A follow-up operation by NDLEA operatives on Dec. 19 led to the arrest of Egbochie in Apapa, Lagos,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman also disclosed that the agency intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking between Dec. 21 and 25, 2025, leading to the destruction of cannabis warehouses and seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs in Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Abuja, Lagos and Taraba States.
He said NDLEA operatives on Dec. 22 set ablaze cannabis warehouses in Ara Forest, Ara-Ekiti, where 638 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered.
Similarly, 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted along the Igara–Auchi Road in Edo State.
In Cross River State, Babafemi said raid operations at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr Local Government Area, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of various quantities of skunk.
The suspects were identified as Freedom Jonah Akpama (27) with 671kg, David Itam David (30) with 89kg, and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26) with 148kg.
Babafemi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining pressure on drug trafficking networks across the country and preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit hub for illicit drugs.