By Bababunmi Agbebi
Edited by Sunkanmi Adewunmi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a social media–based drug distribution network in Lagos after intercepting illicit substances packaged as imported Christmas cookies and snacks. The arrests mark a major blow against traffickers exploiting festive season cover to peddle narcotics.
The syndicate, allegedly run by Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, reportedly imported consignments of a strong cannabis strain known as “Canadian Loud,” which they repackaged into colourful, designer sachets bearing the labels and images of cookies and snacks.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s spokesman, the drugs were sold and distributed via a dedicated WhatsApp platform. A deliberate move to avoid detection and leverage digital anonymity for illicit trade.
On November 22, 2025, NDLEA agents raided an apartment at Ojulari Street, Ikate, in the Lekki area of Lagos. There they arrested the two alleged masterminds and recovered about 5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, together with a large cache of the deceptive designer packaging.
The Christmas-cookie sting was only part of a larger wave of coordinated operations across Lagos and other states. Similarly,
- On 27 November, a suspected kingpin, 38-year-old Philip Ucheka, was arrested at Mushin’s Ladipo area while taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud, totalling 55.6 kg. Three delivery vehicles used for the trade were seized.
- In a separate interception, 100 grams of Loud concealed inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand were seized at a Lagos courier company. The agency also intercepted a consignment of 548 tramadol capsules hidden inside bottles labelled “Vitamin C” and “Magnesium,” headed to the UK
What it means for Lagos (and Nigeria) as the festive season begins
With the holiday season underway, there is increased risk that traffickers will double down on deceptive tactics using celebrations, packaging, and social-media promotions to mask illicit drug trade. The NDLEA’s recent success is a timely warning to both enforcement agencies and the public to remain vigilant.
Families, importers, courier services, and community leaders should be alert to suspicious packages masquerading as cookies, snacks, or gifts. Likewise, authorities may need to strengthen monitoring of social-media platforms where illicit sales are being conducted.
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