NDLEA Dismantles Int’l Drug Cartel, Seizes N5.3bn Worth of Cocaine Bound for Australia
…Intercepts N1.1bn Codeine Shipment in Rivers, Recovers 653kg Cannabis in Lagos and Abuja Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its war against narcotics, dismantling an international organised criminal group (IOCG) that operated across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In a series of intelligence-led operations over two weeks in Lagos, operatives of the agency arrested three key figures of the cartel after intercepting a large cocaine shipment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The drugs, concealed in textile materials and local charms for spiritual protection, were destined for Sydney, Australia.
The crackdown began on Tuesday, 26th August 2025, when NDLEA officers intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials at the export shed of Lagos airport.
A thorough search uncovered 16 blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9kg, hidden in lace fabrics. The consignment was valued at over N5.3 billion on the streets, equivalent to more than 5.3 million Australian dollars.
A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was the first to be arrested in connection with the shipment. Subsequent investigations led to the arrests of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, believed to be the syndicate’s Nigerian coordinator, and Shola Adegoke, another cartel leader.
Ogunbiyi was picked up at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on Wednesday, 3rd September. A search of his Lekki residence yielded 21 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 10.9kg and a double-barrelled pump-action gun with cartridges. A Toyota Venza recovered at his arrest was also seized.
Later, NDLEA operatives raided a packaging base at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, where Adegoke was arrested. A black Range Rover SUV belonging to him was searched, leading to the recovery of 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.6kg.
Investigations revealed that while Ogunbiyi handled local operations, another suspect, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, also known as Mr Bee, coordinated overseas operations from Dubai, UAE.
Adegoke was discovered to have been jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking before his deportation to Nigeria in 2024, while Ogunbiyi had served a 14-year prison sentence in the UK for murder before returning to Nigeria eight years ago.
In a related operation, Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, was arrested on Friday, 5th September, at Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. He was found with 24,480 pills of tramadol, which he admitted he intended to sell for €19,520.
Meanwhile, a joint operation between NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies at Onne Port, Rivers State, led to the discovery of 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a 40ft container of ceramic sanitary wares on Thursday, 4th September. The shipment, valued at over N1.1 billion, had been tracked by a special NDLEA operations unit.
Across the country, more arrests and seizures were made:
In Abuja, a dispatch rider, Joel Bernard (32), was intercepted with 3.1kg of Colorado cannabis in Gwarimpa on Thursday, 4th September.
In Lagos, two suspects, Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54), were arrested while loading four vehicles with cannabis in Surulere. A total of 625kg of Loud and Colorado cannabis was seized.
A couple, Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44), were arrested in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.
In Kogi State, Musa Isah (45) was caught with 53.4kg of skunk in his car, while in Auchi, Edo State, Yunusa Zakari (23) was arrested in connection with a 233kg seizure in Kaduna.
In Onitsha, Anambra State, Ayouk Nelson (28) was arrested with 11,000 tramadol pills.
Along the Minna-Bida road in Niger State, a Toyota Hilux carrying 342kg of skunk was intercepted.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations, weighing 18,750kg, and arrested the farm owners.
The NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign nationwide, engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, correctional officers, and community members.
Commending the officers for their dedication, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged operatives across the country to sustain momentum in dismantling criminal drug networks while promoting a balanced approach to drug control.
