NDLEA Smashes International Drug Cartel, Arrests Three Kingpins, Seizes N5.3bn Australia-Bound Cocaine
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international organized criminal group (IOCG) operating across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three of its leaders in Lagos and intercepting cocaine worth N5.3 billion.
The breakthrough came on August 26, 2025, when NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney, Australia. Concealed within the shipment were 16 blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9kg, hidden inside lace fabrics and local charms meant to evade detection.
A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was arrested in connection with the consignment, which was valued at 5.3 million Australian dollars (N5.3bn) on the street market.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the cartel’s Nigeria coordinator, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on September 3. A search of his Lekki residence uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.9kg) and a pump-action gun with cartridges. Another kingpin, Shola Adegoke, was apprehended at a packaging hub in Ikeja GRA, where officers also recovered 17 parcels of Loud (9.6kg) from a Range Rover SUV.
Investigations revealed that the cartel’s ringleader, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), is currently based in Dubai, coordinating the group’s international operations. Both Ogunbiyi and Adegoke have criminal records in the UK, including drug trafficking and murder-related convictions.
Other Major Seizures
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Italy-bound Nigerian Arrested: On September 5, NDLEA arrested a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, at MMIA with 24,480 tramadol pills concealed in his luggage. He admitted he planned to sell the drugs in Italy for €19,520.
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Codeine Bust in Rivers: A joint NDLEA-Customs operation on September 4 uncovered 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in a 40-foot container of ceramic sanitary wares at Onne Port, Rivers State. The haul is valued at N1.1 billion.
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Abuja Stop-and-Search: In Gwarimpa, Abuja, operatives arrested a dispatch rider, Joel Bernard (32), with 3.1kg of Colorado on September 4.
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Lagos Raids: Two suspects, Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54), were nabbed in Ijesha, Surulere, with 625kg of Loud and Colorado loaded into four distribution vehicles. In Ajegunle, a couple, Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44), were arrested with 24.4kg of skunk.
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Kogi & Edo Operations: NDLEA arrested Musa Isah with 53.4kg of skunk in Kogi and Yunusa Zakari (23) in Edo, linked to an earlier 233kg seizure in Kaduna.
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Other Nationwide Arrests:
- Onitsha: Ayouk Nelson (28) arrested with 11,000 tramadol pills.
- Niger State: Officers intercepted a Hilux truck carrying 342kg of skunk on Minna-Bida road, arresting the driver, Afolayan Ayodele (54).
- Taraba: 18.75 tonnes of cannabis were destroyed on 7.5 hectares of farmland at Joro-Ade village, with two suspects arrested.
NDLEA Intensifies War Against Drugs
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization across states, engaging correctional facilities, traditional rulers, religious institutions, and local communities.
Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the coordinated operations across Lagos, Rivers, Abuja, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, and other states. He urged operatives to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach of enforcement and public enlightenment to curb drug trafficking and abuse.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, September 7, 2025
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