The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Mr. Kolapo Oladapo Raji, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, as part of a widening probe into alleged international drug trafficking and distribution networks.
Raji, 57, was taken into custody on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, following sustained surveillance by anti-narcotics officers. The operation was said to have been triggered shortly after his return from the United Kingdom based on “credible intelligence” linking him to cross-border narcotics operations.
Officials conducting the search reportedly uncovered four large bags containing parcels of “Canadian Loud” — a potent strain of cannabis — weighing a total of 89.20 kilograms in the upscale apartment. At the scene, a 2024 model Toyota Hilux was also seized by operatives.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Raji had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2025 due to ongoing investigations into drug financing and syndicate links. Babafemi’s statement said Raji admitted in questioning that he first entered the illicit trade by financing consignments on behalf of an overseas associate. The large profits he received — described as “hundreds of millions of naira” — reportedly encouraged him to establish his own distribution network in Nigeria.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through Lagos business circles, where Raji was previously known primarily for his real estate interests. The NDLEA is yet to disclose whether additional arrests connected to the alleged network are imminent.
The agency’s crackdown also formed part of broader enforcement activity across the country, including the interception of other drug traffickers and seizures of narcotics in Lagos and major entry points. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to disrupting drug trafficking operations and prosecuting alleged offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
Further details are expected as the case progresses and the suspect is formally arraigned in court.
