The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 43-year-old woman, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.20 kilogrammes of cocaine to India. The suspect, a professional makeup artist, claimed she was traveling for fibroid surgery.
According to a statement released on June 22, 2025, by the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi for the Agency, Adekoya was apprehended on Monday, June 16, 2025, following credible intelligence. She was placed under surveillance, allowed to check in her luggage, and subsequently arrested at the boarding gate while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.
Upon inspection of her suitcase, NDLEA operatives discovered two large parcels of cocaine, carefully factory-concealed within the inner walls of the bag totaling 2.20kg in weight.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted that her trip was motivated by financial gain, despite using a medical cover story involving fibroid removal surgery. Further investigations revealed that Adekoya was allegedly recruited and sponsored by a drug kingpin identified as Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, who is currently on the run.
Adekanbi is reported to be the owner of Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State and resides in Igbe Laara, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
