The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a sophisticated drug-distribution ring in Lagos that concealed a potent strain of cannabis, popularly known as Canadian Loud, inside designer-styled “Christmas cookie” packages.

In a statement released over the weekend, the agency said its operatives raided an apartment on Ojulari Street in the Ikate area of Lekki on November 22, arresting two suspects identified as Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi. The apartment reportedly served as a distribution hub where the drugs were re-packaged into colourful, snack-like sachets to evade detection. Officers recovered roughly 5 kilograms of the substance alongside the branded packaging materials.

Further investigations led to another breakthrough five days later, when NDLEA operatives apprehended Philip Ucheka in the Ladipo area of Mushin. Ucheka was allegedly receiving a shipment of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6 kilograms. Three delivery vehicles believed to be used for routine distribution across the city were also seized.

In a related operation, NDLEA officials intercepted 100 grams of cannabis hidden inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand through a Lagos-based courier company an indication of the increasingly creative smuggling techniques adopted by traffickers.

The agency noted that the syndicate relied heavily on social-media and WhatsApp-based networks to market and distribute the disguised drugs, a trend that has made drug-tracking more complex.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the operatives for their vigilance and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to staying ahead of traffickers’ evolving tactics.

The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution as investigations continue. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.