The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major international drug cartel operating across Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the UAE, arresting three kingpins and seizing cocaine, cannabis strains, and codeine syrup worth billions of naira.
In a two-week intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney, Australia. A search uncovered 17.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace fabrics and “local charms” meant to provide spiritual cover. The consignment carried a street value of ₦5.3 billion.
The breakthrough led to the arrest of Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, a freight agent, and subsequently two cartel leaders: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke. Ogunbiyi, described as the syndicate’s Nigerian coordinator, was arrested in a Lagos hotel, where NDLEA recovered cannabis, a pump-action rifle, and ammunition. Adegoke was later arrested in Ikeja GRA, with more cannabis discovered in vehicles linked to the cartel.
Investigations further revealed that the syndicate’s overall ringleader, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), operates from Dubai. Both Ogunbiyi and Adegoke were found to have served jail terms in the UK for murder and methamphetamine trafficking, respectively.
In parallel operations:
NDLEA intercepted 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a container of ceramic wares at Onne Port, Rivers State, valued at ₦1.1 billion.
In Abuja, a dispatch rider was arrested with 3.1kg of Colorado cannabis.
In Lagos, raids uncovered 625kg of cannabis variants and led to multiple arrests, including a couple caught with 24.4kg of skunk.
In Taraba, operatives destroyed 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations weighing 18.7 tonnes.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers across the MMIA, Rivers, Lagos, Abuja, Taraba, Anambra, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger Commands for their efforts. He urged them to sustain the “balanced approach” of enforcement and advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.