NDLEA Dismantles UK-Bound Cocaine Cartels, Arrests Kingpin and Five Others, Seizes 20.5kg Cocaine and Destroys Over 24,000kg Skunk

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six separate cocaine shipments bound for the United Kingdom, following a string of intelligence-led operations that spanned over three weeks across Lagos.

In a major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives arrested six suspects, including the alleged leader of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, a self-proclaimed businessman and real estate developer. The Agency uncovered 20.5kg of cocaine ingeniously concealed in the walls of stainless steel cups, as well as in body cream and hair gel containers.

The crackdown began on September 16, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40kg hidden inside cocoa butter body cream containers. The arrest of a cargo agent led investigators to Ode, who was eventually arrested with the cooperation of the Nigeria Police, following a complaint he filed at Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos.

During interrogation, Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, claiming he had purchased the drugs for over ₦150 million. He revealed he had lived in several European countries including Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

In a separate investigation, five other failed attempts by another syndicate to ship cocaine to the UK were foiled by NDLEA operatives. The bust began on September 26, when 2.10kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers was intercepted. Follow-up actions led to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, at his home in Mafoluku, Oshodi, where another 1.40kg of cocaine was found.

On the same day, yet another 1.00kg of cocaine destined for the UK was seized at the airport, also traced back to Korede. Additional shipments intercepted on October 2 involved two suspects — Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa — who had concealed 2.60kg of cocaine in stainless steel cups and hair cream containers mixed with crayfish.

In related operations, NDLEA thwarted a plot to smuggle 6.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, from Thailand to Lagos, hidden in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers via courier services. Also, in Kano, a joint operation with Customs officers led to the arrest of Sa’adu Ali, 38, and seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin.

In Lagos, notorious drug dealer “SammyBless” (real name John Igbe), who operates in the Lekki-Ajah axis, was arrested with 550 grams of synthetic cannabis (Colorado). In Mushin, three suspects were caught with 109kg of skunk, codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide. At Alaba’s Trade Fair Complex, officials recovered 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and over 550,000 expired diclofenac tablets.

More arrests were made across several states:

• Kwara: Salisu Abubakar, 25, caught with 27,700 tramadol pills.
• Kaduna: Blessing Ovaka, 50, found with nearly 500kg of skunk, and Dahiru Salisu, 27, caught with over 34,000 tramadol capsules.
• Ogun: Abubakar Audu nabbed with 112kg of skunk and tramadol.
• Osun: Three suspects arrested as NDLEA destroyed 14,000kg of cannabis on a 5.6-hectare farm.
• Edo: A Sienna vehicle loaded with 244.5kg skunk was intercepted, and two suspects were caught after officers destroyed over 10,000kg of skunk across four farms in Ugbodo forest.
• FCT Abuja: A parcel containing 3.27kg of Loud and Colorado from Lagos was traced to Tobi Odubote, 34, who was arrested. Another suspect, Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was caught with 25.5kg of skunk along the Abaji-Abuja expressway.

Meanwhile, NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy with sensitisation programs across the country. Recent engagements included lectures in secondary schools in Adamawa, Katsina, Niger, and Lagos, as well as a courtesy visit to the Imo State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s operatives for their professionalism and resolve.

“These successful operations are a clear message: the NDLEA will not relent in targeting and dismantling every level of drug trafficking operations — from couriers to cartel leaders,” Marwa said. “Every arrest, seizure, and forfeited asset means innocent lives protected and communities made safer.”

He commended the teams involved in Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, Osun, Kogi, and the FCT, urging them to remain focused and committed in the national fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

#UTVAfrica#