NDLEA Smashes International Drug Cartel With Links To Nigeria, UK, Brazil, Australia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled a major international organised criminal group (IOCG) involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs across continents.

The syndicate, comprised primarily of ex-convicts from overseas prisons, operated between Nigeria, the United Kingdom (UK), Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a two-week-long intelligence-led operation culminated in the arrest of three key leaders of the cartel in Lagos.

This followed the interception of a large consignment of cocaine destined for Sydney, Australia, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

The investigation began on August 26th, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the MMIA export shed intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials en route to Sydney.

A thorough search revealed 16 blocks of cocaine, weighing 17.9 kilograms, hidden within the lace materials and concealed alongside local charms, presumably to ward off detection.

A freight agent and syndicate member, Olashupo Oladimeji, was the first arrest made. The intercepted cocaine consignment had an estimated street value of over 5.3 million Australian Dollars (N5.3 billion).

The investigation quickly identified other leaders of the group: Muaezee Ogunbiyi, the alleged arrowhead of the syndicate in Nigeria, was apprehended at a hotel in Ikeja GRA last Wednesday and subsequently taken to his Lekki residence.

A search of his home uncovered 21 parcels (10.9 kg) of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, along with a double-barreled pump-action shotgun and cartridges.

A subsequent raid on a house at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, used as a packaging facility for illicit drugs, led to the arrest of another leader, Shola Adegoke.

A search of a black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) parked on the property uncovered 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.6 kilograms. A black Toyota Venza car (FST 771 JQ) was also recovered from Ogunbiyi at the time of his arrest.

“Our investigations revealed that while Ogunbiyi coordinates operations within Nigeria, Adebisi Omoyele, known as ‘Mr. Bee,’ is believed to be the ringleader of the entire network. He is currently at large, believed to be operating from Dubai, UAE,” stated Babafemi.

Further investigation revealed that Shola Adegoke had been imprisoned in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine dealing and was deported to Nigeria in 2024.

Ogunbiyi also served a 14-year prison sentence in the UK for murder before returning to Nigeria eight years ago.

Other Major Seizures and Arrests:

Milan-Bound Tramadol: Gabriel Michael, a Nigerian based in Milan, Italy, was arrested at MMIA attempting to board an Air France flight with 24,480 pills of tramadol concealed on his person. He reportedly intended to sell them for €19,520.

Port Harcourt Codeine Haul: A joint operation at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Port Harcourt Ports Complex uncovered 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed within a 40ft container disguised as ceramic sanitary wares. The shipment has an estimated street value of over N1.1 billion.

Abuja Dispatch Rider Arrest: In Abuja, a dispatch rider, Joel Bernard, 32, was arrested transporting 3.1 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

Lagos Loud Seizure: Tunde Ayinla, 47, and Olawale Omotare, 54, were arrested in Lagos with a combined total of 625 kilograms of various strains of Loud, including Canadian and Ghana Loud.

Ajegunle Couple Arrested: A couple, Andy David, 43, and Andy Esther, 44, were apprehended in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.

Kogi and Edo Skunk Seizures: Musa Isah, 45, was arrested in Kogi state with 53.400 kilograms of skunk concealed in two cartons. Yunusa Zakari, 23, was later apprehended in Auchi, Edo state, in connection with a previous seizure of 233 kilograms of skunk in Kaduna state.

Anambra Tramadol Bust: Ayouk Nelson, 28, was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, with over 11,000 pills of tramadol.

Niger Skunk Interception: In Niger state, a Toyota Hilux was intercepted carrying 30 bags of skunk weighing 342 kilograms. The driver, Afolayan Ayodele, 54, was arrested.

Taraba Cannabis Plantation Destruction: In Taraba state, 18,750 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations. The owners of the farms, Mako Zmar, 55, and Sani Titus, 45, were apprehended.

The NDLEA continues to engage in War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programs nationwide.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and men involved in the operations and urged them to intensify their balanced approach to drug control efforts.

The NDLEA investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on apprehending Adebisi Omoyele and dismantling the remaining segments of this complex international drug trafficking network.