NDLEA Smashes Global Drug Cartel, Arrests Kingpins Across Nigeria

AN international organised criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates has been dismantled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In a two-week intelligence-led operation across parts of Lagos, three leaders of the cartel were arrested after a large consignment of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, en route to Sydney, Australia.

The unraveling of the syndicate began on Tuesday, 26th August 2025, when NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney. A thorough search led to the recovery of 16 large blocks of cocaine, weighing 17.9 kilograms, hidden in lace fabrics packed with local charms intended to provide “spiritual cover” against law enforcement detection. The consignment, expected to fetch over AUD 5.3 million (approximately ₦5.3 billion) on the street, led to the arrest of freight agent and syndicate member, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji.

Further investigations quickly unmasked other leaders of the IOCG, including Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke. Ogunbiyi, the group’s coordinator in Nigeria, was arrested at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on Wednesday, 3rd September. A search of his Lekki residence yielded 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (a potent cannabis strain) weighing 10.90kg, alongside a double-barrelled pump-action gun and cartridges.

Subsequently, NDLEA operatives raided a house at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, which the cartel used as a packaging base for illicit drugs. There, Adegoke was arrested. A black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) parked in the compound was searched, yielding 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.60kg. A black Toyota Venza (FST 771 JQ) earlier recovered from Ogunbiyi at his hotel arrest scene was also impounded.

Investigations further revealed that while Ogunbiyi handled Nigerian operations, one Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, alias Mr Bee, based in Dubai, UAE, coordinated the cartel’s overseas network. Adegoke was found to have previously served a jail term in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking before being deported to Nigeria in 2024. Ogunbiyi had also served 14 years in a UK prison for murder before returning to Nigeria eight years ago.

Meanwhile, a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, was arrested on Friday, 5th September, at Terminal 1 of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. He was caught concealing 24,480 tramadol pills (100mg, 200mg, and 225mg) which he admitted were meant to be sold for €19,520.

In a separate operation, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, discovered 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in a 40ft container at the Onne Port, Rivers State, on Thursday, 4th September. The consignment, valued at over ₦1.1 billion, was disguised with 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares.

Across Nigeria, further arrests and seizures included:

A dispatch rider, Joel Bernard, 32, arrested with 3.1kg of Colorado in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Two suspects, Tunde Ayinla, 47, and Olawale Omotare, 54, arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 625kg of Loud and Colorado.

A couple, Andy David, 43, and Andy Esther, 44, arrested in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.

Musa Isah, 45, arrested in Kogi State with 53.4kg of skunk hidden in his Toyota Avensis.

Yunusa Zakari, 23, arrested in Auchi, Edo State, in connection with a 233kg skunk seizure in Kaduna.

Ayouk Nelson, 28, arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, with 11,000 tramadol pills.

Afolayan Ayodele, 54, intercepted with 342kg of skunk along the Minna–Bida road, Niger State.

Two cannabis farms totalling 7.5 hectares destroyed in Joro-Ade village, Ardo Kola LGA, Taraba State, with owners Mako Zmar, 55, and Sani Titus, 45, arrested.

In addition to enforcement, NDLEA Commands nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation efforts, with lectures and advocacy visits to correctional centres, workplaces, traditional rulers’ palaces, and religious institutions.

Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged continued intensification of the agency’s balanced approach to drug control across Nigeria.