The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled an international drug cartel, arresting three of its leaders and seizing a large consignment of cocaine worth an estimated N5.3 billion.
The drug, which was hidden in textile materials with local charms and destined for Sydney, Australia, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The two-week intelligence-led operation also led to the arrest of the syndicate’s arrowhead in Nigeria, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and another leader, Shola Adegoke.
A search of Ogunbiyi’s house in Lekki led to the recovery of 10.90kg of Canadian Loud and a double-barreled pump-action gun.
Further investigations revealed that the cartel, which operated in Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the UAE, was led by one Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (Mr. Bee), who is currently in Dubai.
Another seized vehicle, a black Range Rover, was found to contain 9.60kg of Loud. Both Adegoke and Ogunbiyi have criminal records, with Adegoke having been jailed in the UK for drug dealing and Ogunbiyi for murder.
In other nationwide operations, the NDLEA also:
- Intercepted 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of over N1.1 billion in a container at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex.
- Arrested a dispatch rider in Abuja with 3.1kg of Colorado.
- Seized 625kg of drugs, including Canadian Loud, Colorado, and Ghana Loud, in a major raid in Surulere, Lagos.
- Arrested a couple in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.
- Destroyed 18,750 kilograms of skunk on cannabis plantations in Taraba State and arrested the farm owners.
Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers for their efforts and urged them to continue the balanced approach to drug control.
