- Seizes ₦5.3bn Cocaine
- From Lagos to Dubai
- NDLEA Busts International Drug Syndicate
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled an international drug syndicate that operated across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the breakthrough came after a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos, which resulted in the arrest of three cartel leaders and the seizure of a ₦5.3 billion cocaine shipment.
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The operation began on August 26, when NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) intercepted 17.9 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a textile shipment bound for Sydney, Australia. They immediately arrested a freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji.
Further investigations led the agency to two other leaders: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke, both of whom had criminal records in the UK. A search of Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki uncovered 10.9kg of cannabis and a pump-action rifle.
The NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, identified the ringleader as Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, alias “Mr. Bee,” who operates from Dubai.
In a separate operation at MMIA, NDLEA officers arrested a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, for attempting to smuggle 24,480 tramadol pills out of the country.
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