Video: NDLEA uncovers party drugs hidden in coffee packs

Abdullateef Fowewe

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of illicit drugs disguised as regular goods and taken into custody 22 Indian crew members of a merchant vessel over a cocaine shipment into Nigeria.

Video: NDLEA uncovers party drugs hidden in coffee packs

In a statement on Sunday, the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said operatives “intercepted various quantities of illicit substances including Ketamine, Ecstasy and Tramadol pills concealed in sachets of coffee mix and book parcel heading to Zambia and the United Kingdom.”

The consignments were seized at a courier company in Lagos on 24 and 29 December 2025.

According to the NDLEA, the drugs were carefully concealed in coffee mix sachets and within a book parcel, and were destined for Zambia and the UK.

Babafemi added that the courier interceptions coincided with a major maritime operation in Lagos.

The Agency “has taken into custody 22 Indian crew members of a merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, in which 31.5 kilograms of cocaine were seized by operatives at the GDNL terminal, Apapa port Lagos on Friday 2nd January 2026.”

The cocaine, weighing 31.5kg, was reportedly found in hatch 3 of the ship, which originated from the Marshall Islands. Those detained include the Master of the vessel, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and 21 other crew members, whose identities were listed by the Agency.

The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the coordinated operations and the officers involved.

While commending personnel of the DOGI, Apapa, Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Kwara and Jigawa Commands for the arrests and seizures, Marwa “enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing drug control efforts of the Agency.”