Lagos Airport Drug Scandal: 56-Year-Old Suspect Arrested Over Methamphetamine Hidden In Breakfast Cereals

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 25.05 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packs of assorted breakfast cereals imported from South Africa through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The agency also arrested a 56-year-old suspect in connection with the shipment, as well as a 28-year-old American citizen allegedly involved in the importation of 33.95 kilograms of a potent cannabis strain known as Loud from Thailand.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the arrests and seizures were part of a series of anti-drug operations conducted by the NDLEA across several states, leading to the recovery of large quantities of illicit substances and the discovery of a facility allegedly used for the local production of firearms in Kaduna State.

The 56-year-old suspect, identified as Omokan Isaac Babatope, whose real name is reportedly Chinedu Onwude, was arrested on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the arrival hall of Terminal II of the Lagos airport after returning from South Africa.

A search of his two travelling boxes reportedly led to the discovery of 25 parcels containing a white crystalline substance weighing 25.05 kilograms. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine.

The drugs had allegedly been hidden inside packs of assorted breakfast cereals and cereal-based food products in an attempt to evade security checks.

The suspect, who reportedly holds Nigerian and South African passports, had lived in South Africa for more than 24 years. During preliminary questioning, he allegedly admitted adopting the name Omokan Isaac Babatope after using forged documents to enter South Africa and continuing to operate under that identity.

He further claimed that a South Africa-based man identified as Obiora Okoye contracted him to transport the drugs to Nigeria in exchange for 20,000 South African rand.

In another operation at the same airport on November 11, NDLEA operatives arrested a 28-year-old American citizen, Greene Da’monte Khiree, over a shipment of 33.95 kilograms of Loud allegedly brought from Thailand.

The suspect reportedly arrived in Lagos aboard an Emirates Airline flight from Thailand through Dubai. According to the agency, operatives placed him under surveillance after receiving intelligence and observed him abandoning two checked-in bags before attempting to leave the airport with only his hand luggage.

He was subsequently apprehended at the airport car park.

A search of the abandoned bags, which reportedly carried his name tags, uncovered 32 parcels of Loud weighing a combined 33.95 kilograms. A tracking device was also recovered from the luggage.

The suspect, who is from Savannah, Georgia, United States, reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Thailand since October 2025, where he played professional basketball. He claimed he travelled to Nigeria for a holiday and intended to build connections to advance his basketball career.

However, a forensic examination of his mobile phone reportedly revealed information suggesting that he was aware of and involved in the alleged drug trafficking operation.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on November 10 arrested a 33-year-old man, Taiwo Adebayo Aderoju, during an intelligence-led operation in the Ebute Metta area, where 119.71 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered.

Another operation conducted in Ajah on November 14 led to the recovery of 78.8 kilograms of cannabis, 2.5 litres of skuchies, 6.8 litres of codeine syrup, 23 grams of Rohypnol, 478 grams of tramadol, 10.6 kilograms of nitrous oxide and 714 grams of pregabalin.

The substances were reportedly discovered inside an abandoned silver Toyota Sienna after a suspect fled upon sighting the operatives.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA officers raided Sabon Garin Kangin on November 9, where they uncovered a facility allegedly used for the local production of firearms and arrested a 45-year-old man, Sagiru Musa.

Items recovered from the facility included 17 locally manufactured Dane guns, two pistols, 25 Dane gun pipes and other materials suspected to have been used in producing firearms.

Separately, officers on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway intercepted a 31-year-old woman, Tabara Dauda, at Jere on November 13. She was allegedly found conveying 196 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and ₦675,000 in cash.

At Grace Land in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, a 30-year-old man, Samson Chibuike Andebe, was arrested on November 11 with 3,840 tablets of tramadol 225mg weighing 2.5 kilograms.

The agency also recovered 499.3 kilograms of skunk during a raid on a hideout in the Gonin-Gora area of Kaduna on November 14. Two suspects, identified as Celestine Chime, 34, and Chibueze Christ, 36, were arrested.

In Ondo State, operatives arrested Victor William, 42, and Akeem Azeez, 27, at Olabi village on November 10 after allegedly catching them with bags of cannabis intended for sale. The suspects reportedly led officers to a storage facility where 50 bags of cannabis weighing 560 kilograms were recovered.

Another operation at a cannabis farm in Ipele Forest on November 13 resulted in the arrest of three suspects: Godwin Benson, 30; Muhammed Awwal, 34; and James Timothy, 18. Officers recovered 122 kilograms of the substance.

In Delta State, a 43-year-old woman, Esther Igba, was arrested at Alihame, Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area on November 12. She was allegedly found with 255.670 kilograms of cannabis sativa and 1.5 kilograms of cannabis seeds.

Earlier, on November 10, operatives arrested 25-year-old Aaron Thomas, also known as Ibori, at Oguato in Ughelli South Local Government Area after reportedly tracking him for more than six months.

The suspect was described by the agency as a major distributor of illicit drugs who allegedly operated a notorious bush bar. Items recovered from him included 360 grams of cannabis, 12.7 litres of codeine syrup, 500 grams of tramadol 100mg, 90 grams of tramadol 200mg, 215 grams of swinol and 135 grams of Molly, also known as MDMA.

In Osun State, two suspects, Eze Chidiebere, 23, and Nwaoge Ugochukwu, 24, were arrested during an operation at Owena Forest Reserve, where 86 kilograms of cannabis were recovered.

During a separate operation in the same forest reserve, officers arrested 40-year-old Ugwu Chukwuemeka with 28 kilograms of dried cannabis and 21 kilograms of fresh cannabis leaves. His cannabis farm, covering approximately 0.855 hectares and estimated to contain 2,137.5 kilograms of the plant, was also destroyed.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 39-year-old woman, Blessing Chukwudi, following weeks of surveillance on suspected drug activities in Benin City.

The operation, carried out on November 10 at Jamila Street, Ikpoba Hill, reportedly led to the recovery of 22 compressed parcels of Loud weighing 14 kilograms, 65 grams of Colorado and 73 grams of methamphetamine.

Beyond the arrests and seizures, the agency said its commands across the country continued public enlightenment campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. The sensitisation activities were conducted in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities.

Among the institutions visited were Poko Community Primary School in Poka, Epe, Lagos State; Community Grammar School, Eyinni, Ibadan, Oyo State; Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State; Presco High School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Federal Government Girls College, Efon Alaye, Ekiti State; Obasanjo Modern Primary School, Jos, Plateau State; and Government Girls Secondary School, Sabon Garin Gaidam, Kano State.

The Ondo State Command also conducted an advocacy visit to the Olu of Ilu Abo, Oba Olu Falae, as part of efforts to strengthen community involvement in the fight against drug abuse.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Ondo, Delta, Osun and Edo commands for their operations.

Marwa praised their vigilance and professionalism, describing the interception of methamphetamine hidden in breakfast cereal packages as evidence that traffickers’ concealment methods would not defeat the agency’s enforcement efforts.

He also noted that the discovery of the alleged illegal firearms production facility in Kaduna highlighted the connection between illicit drugs and violent crime.

The NDLEA chairman urged officers across all commands to maintain their efforts in reducing both the supply of illicit drugs and the demand for them.