The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested an ex-convict, Nwobodo Basil, and three cargo agents over the seizure of cocaine concealed in liquid starch sachets and destined for the United Kingdom.
The NDLEA said 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilogrammes were recovered from factory-sealed cold-water starch sachets at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said three cargo agents—Jubrin Hassana, Kuku Oluwasegun, and Igwe Jane—were arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in connection with the consignment.
He said further investigation linked the shipment to 37-year-old Nwobodo, who was arrested the following day at a relaxation centre in Ikeja.
The statement partly read, “A notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Basil, previously convicted of dealing in 30.10kg of methamphetamine in 2023, has again been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilogrammes concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the United Kingdom at the export shed of the MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.
“Three cargo agents—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—involved in the attempt to export the consignment to the UK were swiftly arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, before further investigations unravelled 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind.
“He was arrested in a follow-up operation on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he went on a date with his girlfriend.”
Babafemi said the agency’s records showed that Nwobodo had earlier been arrested in May 2023 over the seizure of 30.10kg of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers and headed for London.
“He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N7,000,000.00, along with one month of community service, with effect from December 4, 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime,” he said.
He also said a 65-year-old driver was arrested in Gombe State with pentazocine injections and tramadol pills, while a businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), was picked up in Lagos over an earlier seizure of 26kg of “loud” cannabis at Tincan Port.
