NDLEA INTERCEPTS N5.3B AUSTRALIA-BOUND COCAINE AT LAGOS AIRPORT, ARREST 3 KINGPINS

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have smashed an international organized criminal group operating between Nigeria, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirate, with three suspected drug kingpins arrested.

NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, FEMI BABAFEMI, confirmed in a statement that operatives equally seized cocaine consignment heading to Australia, valued N5.3B (Five-Point-Three Billion Naira).

BABAFEMI said the cocaine consignment was concealed in textile materials and local charms going at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday August 26, 2025.

He said NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport uncovered seventeen-point-nine kilograms of Cocaine in seventy-six cartons of textile materials, parked with local charms spiritual cover against law enforcement detection.

The spokesman said a freight agent and member of the syndicate, identified as OLASHUPO MICHAEL OLADIMEJI, was the first to be arrested.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of MUAEZEE ADEMOLA OGUNBIYI and SHOLA ADEGOKE, adding that OGUNBIYI was found to be the arrowhead of the syndicate in Nigeria.

FEMI BABAFEMI said that a search at OGUNBIYI’s residence in Lekki led to the recovery of twenty-one parcels of Canadian Loud, as well as a double-barreled pump action gun, with some cartridges.

BABAFEMI said operatives also raided a house at No. 13, Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, which is used by the gang for packing of hard drugs for export, where SHOLA ADEGOKE was arrested.

He said further investigation revealed that one ADEBISI ADEMOLA OMOYELE, who is currently hiding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the ringleader of the criminal network and coordinates their overseas operations.