Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a sophisticated drug trafficking syndicate that concealed cocaine inside tins of palm kernel oil destined for the United Kingdom, and arrested a suspected kingpin in Lagos.
It was reported that the operation began on March 11, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
The agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden in tins labelled as palm kernel extract at the airport’s export shed.
Two suspects linked to the shipment, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested.
The agency noted that the arrests of the suspects l triggered a wider investigation, leading to a coordinated sting operation on April 2 that exposed the supply chain behind the illicit consignment.
Authorities subsequently arrested Ezemuwo Joel, who allegedly operated under the alias “Ajayi,” identified as the sender of the shipment.
His arrest led investigators to the alleged syndicate leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was tracked to a hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos.
A raid on Arinze’s warehouse at Bucknor, Isolo, uncovered 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment.
Investigators also recovered industrial sealing equipment, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis, and other materials used in the operation.
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NDLEA officials said Arinze confessed to draining the oil from the tins before inserting cocaine consignments.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various state commands for the successful operations.
“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 said.
He also emphasised the agency’s dual focus on reducing both drug supply and demand through enforcement and public sensitisation campaigns conducted nationwide under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts against drug trafficking networks, warning that no cover—commercial, social, or religious—will shield offenders from prosecution.
