The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, following a major intelligence-led operation that spanned two weeks.
The operation, which culminated in the arrest of three key leaders of the cartel in Lagos, was confirmed on Sunday in a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the agency, the breakthrough began on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney, Australia. A search revealed 16 large blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms, hidden inside lace fabrics and accompanied by local charms believed to offer spiritual protection against detection.
The first arrest was of freight agent Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, linked to the consignment, which had an estimated street value of over 5.3 million Australian Dollars (N5.3 billion).
Further investigation led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, identified as the syndicate’s Nigerian coordinator. He was apprehended at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on Wednesday, September 3, and taken to his residence in Lekki, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives recovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (a high-grade cannabis strain) weighing 10.9kg, along with a double-barrel pump-action shotgun and cartridges.
Another major suspect, Shola Adegoke, was arrested at a suspected drug packaging facility located at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA. A Range Rover SUV found at the premises contained 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.6kg. Ogunbiyi’s Toyota Venza was also recovered during the operation.
The cartel’s alleged ringleader, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, known as Mr. Bee, is currently believed to be operating out of Dubai, UAE. Investigations also revealed both Ogunbiyi and Adegoke have criminal records abroad. Ogunbiyi reportedly served a 14-year sentence in the UK for murder, while Adegoke was jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking and deported to Nigeria in 2024.
In a separate operation at MMIA on Friday, September 5, NDLEA arrested a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, who was attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. He was found with 24,480 pills of tramadol concealed in his luggage, which he claimed were to be sold for €19,520.
Also on September 4, a 40-foot container was intercepted at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) at the Onne Port, Rivers State, containing 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden behind 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares. The shipment, valued at over N1.1 billion, had been flagged by NDLEA’s special operations unit.
In the Federal Capital Territory, a 32-year-old dispatch rider, Joel Bernard, was arrested in Gwarimpa on September 4, with 3.1kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, in his possession.
In Lagos, acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives on September 1 arrested Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54) while loading drugs into distribution vehicles at their residence in Surulere. Recovered from the scene were 9kg of Canadian Loud, 5kg of Colorado, and 1,101 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 611kg — totaling 625kg.
Also in Lagos, a couple — Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44) — were arrested in Ajegunle on September 5 with 24.4kg of skunk, another cannabis variant.
In Kogi State, Musa Isah (45) was apprehended with 53.4kg of skunk concealed in his car. A follow-up operation in Auchi, Edo State, led to the arrest of Yunusa Zakari (23), linked to an earlier seizure of 233kg of skunk in Kakau, Kaduna State.
In Onitsha, Anambra State, Ayouk Nelson (28) was arrested with 11,000 tramadol pills. Meanwhile, in Niger State, a routine patrol on Minna-Bida road intercepted a Toyota Hilux carrying 30 bags of skunk weighing 342kg, with the driver, Afolayan Ayodele (54), taken into custody.
A major anti-narcotics operation in Joro-Ade village, Ardo Kola LGA, Taraba State, led to the destruction of 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations, amounting to 18,750kg of skunk. Two farm owners, Mako Zmar (55) and Sani Titus (45), were arrested.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the efforts of operatives across the country, particularly in MMIA, Lagos, Onne Port, FCT, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger States.
He urged NDLEA officers to maintain their “balanced approach” to drug control, combining enforcement with prevention and treatment in the agency’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
