NDLEA foils attempt to smuggle cocaine hidden in body cream containers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 70 parcels of cocaine cleverly hidden inside containers of body cream at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

The illicit shipment was reportedly destined for the United Kingdom before it was uncovered by the agency’s operatives.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the drugs — weighing a total of 3.60 kilograms — were discovered on October 14, 2025, during a routine examination of cargoes declared as personal effects. The packages were being prepared for export via an Air Peace flight bound for London.

According to the statement, a cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, was promptly arrested, adding that investigations led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt.

“In a follow up operation on 18th October, a female healthcare worker Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah was arrested following which Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi & Co, was arrested at his 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA Lagos office on Monday 20th October.

“In a similar development, attempt by a 35-year-old Lesotho national Lemena Mark to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabeta herbs coffee tea pack to the Philippines on an Ethiopian airlines flight from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu on Wednesday 22nd October was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and recovered the illicit drug,” the statement noted.

Babafemi explained that the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has commended the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Lagos, for the arrests, and seizures.

He urged them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.