NDLEA nabs female makeup artist with 2.20kg cocaine at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 43-year-old female make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, after 2.20 kilograms of cocaine were discovered factory-fitted in the walls of her bag.

A statement by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, said Adekoya, who claimed to be travelling to India for fibroid surgery, was arrested by its operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

It said the suspect was arrested on Monday, June 16, 2025, based on credible intelligence.

The statement read in part, “When her luggage was searched, two large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.20kg were found concealed in the walls of the suitcase she was carrying. In her statement, she claimed she embarked on the trip for financial benefits but under the pretext of going to India for surgery to remove a fibroid from her stomach.

“Further investigation revealed the suspect was recruited and funded by a drug baron currently at large, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, who owns Rockford Hotel located in Sango area of Ogun state, while he lives at Igbe Laara in Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, Lagos state.”