The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced that its officials have been able to dismantle what it described as a sophisticated drug cartel operating across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The NDLEA said the development came after it organised a two-week “intelligence-led operation” which began at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
The agency revealed that the operation resulted in the arrest of three key kingpins and the seizure of narcotics worth over ₦6.4 billion, including a massive cocaine shipment bound for Sydney, Australia.
In a statement released by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that the operation not only intercepted high-value consignments but also exposed “the cartel’s intricate web of concealment tactics, from hidden compartments in textiles to the use of local charms for spiritual protection.”
The statement reads in part: “Another top member, Shola Adegoke, was arrested during a raid at the cartel’s packaging hub located at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA. A search of the premises and vehicles parked within, including a Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ), yielded 17 parcels of Loud (9.6kg).
“Investigations further revealed that Adegoke, once jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking, was deported in 2024. Similarly, Ogunbiyi had served 14 years in a UK prison over a murder conviction before relocating to Nigeria eight years ago.
“Both men were confirmed to be repeat offenders who had re-established links with international drug networks after their release.
“At the top of the chain, NDLEA identified Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), believed to be the cartel’s ringleader, currently operating from Dubai, UAE, where he allegedly coordinates the syndicate’s overseas logistics and finances.
“While the Lagos operations shook the cartel, NDLEA operatives across the country intensified raids, intercepting massive quantities of narcotics and arresting dozens of suspects: Rivers State (Onne Port): 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a container filled with ceramic sanitary wares, with an estimated street value of N1.1 billion, FCT, Abuja: A dispatch rider, Joel Bernard (32), was caught in Gwarimpa with 3.1kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, Lagos (Surulere): Acting on intelligence, NDLEA arrested Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54) while loading four distribution vehicles with 625kg of cannabis strains, including Canadian Loud and Ghana Loud, Ajegunle, Lagos: A couple, Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44), were arrested with 24.4kg of skunk, Kogi State: Musa Isah (45) was arrested with 53.4kg of skunk hidden in his Toyota Avensis, Kaduna/Edo axis: 233kg of skunk seized in Kakau, Kaduna, led to the arrest of Yunusa Zakari (23) in Auchi, Edo State, Anambra State (Onitsha): –Bida road): NDLEA intercepted a Toyota Hilux transporting 342kg of skunk, arresting Afolayan Ayodele (54), and Taraba State: Over 18,750kg of cannabis plantations destroyed on 7.5 hectares in Joro-Ade village, Ardo Kola LGA. Two farm owners, Mako Zmar (55) and Sani Titus (45), were arrested.”
