NDLEA Busts Global Cocaine Ring, Nabs Three Lagos Kingpins, Traces Dubai Boss [Photos]

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international organised criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia and the UAE, following a two-week, intelligence-led operation in Lagos.

Naija News understands that three leaders of the cartel were arrested after officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted a large cocaine shipment concealed in textile materials and “local charms” en route to Sydney, Australia.

The bust reportedly began on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the MMIA export shed intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney.

A thorough search uncovered 16 big blocks of cocaine (17.9kg) hidden inside lace fabrics and packed with charms “to provide spiritual cover against law-enforcement detection,” according to an NDLEA statement.

A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, identified as a syndicate member, was arrested immediately. The consignment carried an estimated street value of AU$5.3m (₦5.3bn).

Fast-tracked investigations unmasked two other leaders: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke.

Ogunbiyi, described as the cartel’s Nigeria coordinator, was arrested on Wednesday, September 3, at a hotel in Ikeja GRA. A follow-up search at his Lekki residence yielded 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.90kg) and a double-barrel pump-action gun with cartridges.

A black Toyota Venza (FST 771 JQ) was also recovered at the point of arrest.

Packaging House Raided In Ikeja

In a statement signed and issued Sunday, September 7, 2025, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, said operatives raided a house at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, used by the syndicate to package drugs for export. There, another leader, Shola Adegoke, was arrested.

According to him, a black Range Rover (RBC 459 EJ) parked in the compound was searched; 17 parcels of Loud (9.60kg) were recovered.

Overseas ‘Mr Bee’ Named; Kingpins’ Criminal Records Exposed

Investigators identified Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias “Mr. Bee”), currently “hibernating” in Dubai, UAE, as the cartel’s overall ringleader coordinating offshore operations.

Adegoke was jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine dealing and deported in 2024.

Naija News understands that Ogunbiyi served 14 years in the UK over a murder case before returning to Nigeria about eight years ago.

Airport, Seaport Hits: Tramadol, Codeine Seizures

At MMIA, Friday, September 5, operatives arrested Gabriel Michael, a Milan-based Nigerian, at Terminal 1 while boarding an Air France flight to Italy. He concealed 24,480 tramadol pills (100mg/200mg/225mg) and claimed he intended to sell them for €19,520.

At WACT, Onne Port (PHPC), Rivers State, on Thursday, September 4, a joint NDLEA–Customs examination uncovered 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a 40-ft container masked with 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares.

The shipment, watch-listed and tracked by an NDLEA special operations unit, has an estimated street value of over ₦1.1bn.

Abuja Stop-and-Search; Lagos Warehouse Haul; Ajegunle Couple Held

Abuja (FCT): Thursday, September 4, a dispatch rider, Joel Bernard (32), was arrested in Gwarimpa with 3.1kg of “Colorado” (synthetic cannabis).

Lagos (Ijesha, Surulere): Acting on intelligence, on Monday, September 1, operatives arrested Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54) while loading four distribution vehicles at 28 Ola Street. Recovered: 9kg Canadian Loud, 5kg Colorado, and 1,101 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (611kg), total: 625kg.

Lagos (Ajegunle): Friday, September 5, a couple, Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44), were arrested with 24.4kg of skunk at their residence.

Kogi, Edo, Kaduna Links; Anambra, Niger Intercepts

Kogi: Musa Isah (45) was arrested with 53.400kg of skunk hidden in two cartons in the trunk of a Toyota Avensis (ABC 338 SS).

Edo (Auchi): Friday, September 5, Yunusa Zakari (23) was nabbed in a follow-up to an earlier 233kg skunk seizure in Kakau, Kaduna State.

Anambra (Onitsha): Wednesday, September 3, operatives arrested Ayouk Nelson (28) at 61 Bida Road with 11,000 tramadol pills.

Niger (Minna–Bida Road): Tuesday, September 2, a white Toyota Hilux was intercepted; search uncovered 30 bags of skunk (342kg). Driver Afolayan Ayodele (54) was arrested.

In Taraba, NDLEA destroyed 18,750kg (18.75 tonnes) of skunk cultivated on 7.5 hectares at Joro-Ade village, Ardo-Kola LGA, on Tuesday, September 2. Farm owners Mako Zmar (55) and Sani Titus (45) were arrested.

WADA Sensitisation Rounds the Country

The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach continued nationwide with sensitisation visits and lectures to:

• Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lafia (Nasarawa);
• Ward heads in Kano Municipal Council (Kano);
• Members of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, Awgu LGA (Anambra);

The Ohi of Ihima, HRH Alhaji Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, and Okehi LGA Council of Traditional Rulers (Kogi), among others.

Commending operatives of MMIA, PHPC/Onne, Lagos, FCT, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi and Niger Commands for the week’s arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) urged them and their colleagues nationwide to “intensify the ongoing balanced approach to drug control.”

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