NDLEA Dismantles Major Cocaine Cartels Behind Six UK-Bound Shipments, Arrests Syndicate Leader and Five Others
.....Uncovers 20.5kg of Cocaine Concealed in Household Items, Destroys Nearly 25,000kg of Cannabis Across Forests in Edo, Osun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against narcotics trafficking, successfully dismantling two notorious drug cartels responsible for multiple cocaine shipments to the United Kingdom. The coordinated, intelligence-led operations spanned over three weeks across Lagos and other states, leading to the arrest of six suspects, including the syndicate’s kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted a consignment on September 16, 2025, containing 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4 kilograms concealed in cocoa butter body cream containers. A cargo agent was arrested, and subsequent investigation revealed Ode as the mastermind.
Ode, who claimed to be a businessman and real estate developer, admitted ownership of the consignment worth over ₦150 million. He reportedly returned to Nigeria in 2024 after spending 27 years across several European and Middle Eastern countries, including the UK, Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, another cartel’s attempt to smuggle five cocaine consignments to the UK was foiled by NDLEA operatives at the MMIA’s export shed between September 26 and October 2. The first seizure — 2.1kg of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers — led to the arrest of a cargo agent and subsequently, 33-year-old furniture maker, Smith David Korede, at his residence in Mafoluku, Oshodi. Two additional consignments, weighing 1.4kg and 1kg respectively, were later traced to him.
Further interceptions on October 2 led to the arrest of Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, after NDLEA discovered cocaine hidden inside stainless cups and hair cream containers in shipments labeled as crayfish exports.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives foiled a plot to import 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from Thailand, concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flower parcels. Similarly, a joint NDLEA–Customs checkpoint operation along the Danbatta–Daura road in Kano led to the arrest of Sa’adu Ali (38) and seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin capsules.
The NDLEA also intensified its crackdown on domestic drug distribution networks. In Lagos, a notorious dealer known as John Igbe (alias SammyBless) was arrested on Admiralty Road, Lekki, with 550 grams of Colorado (synthetic cannabis). Three other suspects — Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James — were apprehended in Mushin with 109kg of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide. At the Alaba Trade Fair Complex, operatives recovered 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 expired diclofenac tablets.
Other operations across the country yielded further arrests and seizures:
- Kwara State: 27,700 tramadol pills seized from Salisu Abubakar (25) at Bode Saadu.
- Kaduna State: 498.5kg of skunk recovered from Blessing Ovaka (50) in Chukun LGA, while Dahiru Salisu (27) was arrested with 34,180 tramadol capsules along Kaduna–Zaria road.
- Ogun State: Abubakar Audu was arrested at Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, with 112kg of skunk and 16g of tramadol.
- Osun State: NDLEA officers destroyed 14,000kg of skunk on a 5.6-hectare plantation and arrested three suspects — Chuimieze Shedrack, Sunday John, and Solomon Okopko.
- Edo State: 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg were seized at Igbanke, with Ineh Excellent Obindi (28) arrested. Another 10,897kg of cannabis was destroyed on four farms in Ovia North East LGA.
- Kogi/FCT: Officers intercepted parcels containing 3.27kg of Loud and arrested Tobi Odubote (34) and Ismail Abdurrahim (32) in follow-up operations.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA Commands nationwide sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy across schools, markets, and religious centers. Recent sensitization efforts included lectures at schools in Adamawa, Katsina, and Niger States, as well as outreach to traders in Ikorodu, Lagos, and an advocacy visit to Imo State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers for their professionalism and resilience, affirming the agency’s determination to dismantle all drug cartels operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Every arrest, seizure, and asset forfeiture signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected,” Marwa said. “NDLEA will not relent until the threat of substance abuse and illicit trafficking is completely eradicated.”
— NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
Sunday, October 5, 2025
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