The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the dismantling of two major drug cartels responsible for six UK-bound cocaine shipments, culminating in the arrest of a key kingpin and five other suspects.
In a series of intelligence-led operations spanning over three weeks in Lagos, NDLEA operatives uncovered 20.5 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed within the walls of stainless steel cups, body cream containers, and hair gel tubs.
The breakthrough came on September 16th, when agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40kg hidden in cocoa butter body cream containers. This initial seizure led investigators to the alleged mastermind, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who was subsequently arrested with police cooperation.
During interrogation, Ode, who presented himself as a businessman and real estate developer, admitted to owning the seized consignment, which he claimed was valued at over N150 million. He reportedly lived in several European countries and the UK for over 27 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024.
In a parallel investigation, the NDLEA thwarted five separate attempts by another syndicate to export cocaine to the United Kingdom. The crackdown began on September 26th with the seizure of 2.10kg of cocaine in hair cream containers.
This led to the arrest of the alleged consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, at his Mafoluku, Oshodi base on September 30th. From there, the operation snowballed, resulting in further interceptions and the arrests of two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, linked to consignments hidden in crayfish and stainless cups.
Nationwide Seizures and Destruction
Beyond the airport busts, the NDLEA reported significant victories across the country. In Edo and Osun states, a total of 24,897 kilograms of skunk (cannabis) were destroyed on several large-scale farms, with multiple arrests made.
Other notable operations included:
· The seizure of 6.3kg of Loud cannabis from Thailand in Lagos.
· The arrest of a notorious dealer, John Igbe (aka “SammyBless”), in the Lekki area.
· The interception of 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin in Kano state.
· Major seizures of codeine syrup and other illicit pharmaceuticals in Lagos and Kwara states.
A Stern Warning from NDLEA Leadership
While commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), issued a stern warning to drug cartels.
“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations,” Marwa stated. “These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the threat posed by the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated. Every arrest, seizure and assets forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected.”
The agency also confirmed that its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs continue nationwide, with recent advocacy visits to schools, markets, and government officials, including the First Lady of Imo State.