Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major international organised criminal group (IOCG) involved in drug trafficking across Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the UAE. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of three key leaders and the interception of a cocaine shipment valued at ₦5.3 billion.
The operation began on August 26, 2025, when NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney, Australia. A detailed search uncovered 17.9 kilograms of cocaine hidden in lace fabrics, concealed alongside local charms reportedly used for spiritual protection against detection.
The first arrest was made when the freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was apprehended. Continued investigations led to the capture of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, the Nigerian coordinator of the group, and Shola Adegoke, another leader. Ogunbiyi was arrested at a hotel in Ikeja GRA and a search of his Lekki home revealed 10.9 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis and a pump-action rifle. Adegoke was detained during a raid on the syndicate’s packaging site at Ikeja GRA, where officers recovered 9.6 kilograms of Loud from a Range Rover.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the cartel’s ringleader, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, also known as Mr. Bee, is currently believed to be operating from Dubai. Notably, Adegoke had a previous UK conviction for methamphetamine trafficking, while Ogunbiyi served 14 years in the UK for murder before returning to Nigeria.
In a related series of operations, NDLEA seized 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup worth ₦1.1 billion from a container at Onne Port, Rivers State. Additionally, more than 650 kilograms of cannabis derivatives were recovered in raids conducted across Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Niger, Kaduna, and Taraba.
Other significant arrests and seizures include:
Gabriel Michael, a Milan-based Nigerian, arrested at Lagos Airport with 24,480 tramadol pills.
A dispatch rider caught in Abuja with 3.1 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado.
Recovery of 625 kilograms of Loud and Colorado cannabis at a distribution point in Surulere, Lagos.
Arrest of a couple in Ajegunle, Lagos, found with 24.4 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
Destruction of 18.7 tonnes of cannabis farms in Taraba State.
NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the officers for their successful operations and encouraged continued enforcement balanced with public advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
