NDLEA Smashes International Drug Syndicate Operating Between Nigeria, UK, Brazil, Australia and UAE
- NDLEA has dismantled a transnational drug cartel operating across five countries, including the UK, Australia and the UAE
- A major cocaine shipment concealed in textiles and charms was intercepted at Lagos airport, triggering a two-week crackdown
- Three key figures were arrested, including ex-convicts previously jailed in the UK, as authorities uncovered cannabis, weapons and luxury vehicles linked to the syndicate
Operatives of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major international organised criminal group (IOCG) trafficking cocaine and cannabis across five countries, including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
The breakthrough followed a two-week intelligence-led operation across Lagos, culminating in the arrest of three key figures and the interception of a multimillion-dollar drug shipment bound for Sydney, Australia.
Source: Twitter
Cocaine concealed in textile materials intercepted at Lagos airport
The operation began on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, when NDLEA officers at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney.
A meticulous search revealed 16 large blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms, concealed within lace fabrics and accompanied by local charms believed to offer spiritual protection against detection.
The consignment, according to NDLEA sources, was expected to fetch over 5.3 million Australian Dollars on the streets—equivalent to approximately ₦5.3 billion.
Freight agent Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, identified as a member of the syndicate, was promptly arrested at the scene.
NDLEA arrests syndicate leaders in Lagos drug bust
Further investigations led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, described by NDLEA officials as the Nigerian coordinator of the cartel. Ogunbiyi was apprehended on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, at a hotel in Ikeja GRA.
A subsequent search of his residence in Lekki uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—totalling 10.90 kilograms, along with a double-barrelled pump-action gun and cartridges.
Another raid at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, believed to be a packaging hub for the syndicate’s exports, resulted in the arrest of Shola Adegoke.
A black Range Rover SUV marked RBC 459 EJ parked in the compound was searched, yielding 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.60 kilograms. A black Toyota Venza with registration number FST 771 JQ had earlier been recovered from Ogunbiyi during his arrest.
Syndicate’s overseas operations linked to Dubai-based ringleader
NDLEA investigations revealed that while Ogunbiyi managed domestic operations, the cartel’s international logistics were coordinated by Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, alias “Mr. Bee,” who is currently believed to be hiding in Dubai, UAE.
The agency also confirmed that Shola Adegoke had previously served a prison sentence in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking and was deported to Nigeria in 2024. Ogunbiyi, it was further disclosed, had served a 14-year jail term in the UK for murder before returning to Nigeria eight years ago.
Source: Legit.ng
