Drug suspects arrested by NDLEA operatives
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international organized criminal group operating across Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three key leaders in a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos.
The syndicate was busted after NDLEA operatives intercepted a large cocaine consignment hidden in textile materials and local charms at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, destined for Sydney, Australia.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, announced on Sunday that the operation began on August 26, 2025, when officers at the airport’s export shed uncovered 16 blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms concealed in 76 cartons of lace materials.
“The consignment, laced with local charms to evade detection, was estimated to have a street value of over 5.3 million Australian dollars, equivalent to N5.3 billion,” Babafemi said.
The first arrest was Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, a freight agent and syndicate member.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, identified as the syndicate’s leader in Nigeria, on September 3 at a hotel in Ikeja GRA.
A search of Ogunbiyi’s Lekki residence uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 10.9 kilograms, along with a double-barreled pump action gun and cartridges.
“Ogunbiyi is a central figure coordinating the group’s operations in Nigeria,” Babafemi noted.
Another leader, Shola Adegoke, was arrested at a house in Ikeja GRA used by the syndicate to package drugs for export. A search of the property yielded 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.6 kilograms and a black Range Rover SUV.
A Toyota Venza was also recovered from Ogunbiyi at the time of his arrest. Investigations revealed Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, alias Mr. Bee, based in Dubai, as the ringleader overseeing overseas operations.
Babafemi disclosed that Adegoke had been jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking and deported to Nigeria in 2024, while Ogunbiyi served a 14-year sentence in the UK for murder before returning to Nigeria eight years ago.
In a separate operation on September 5, NDLEA operatives arrested Gabriel Michael, a Milan-based Nigerian, at MMIA’s Terminal 1 as he attempted to board an Air France flight to Italy. Michael was found with 24,480 tramadol pills (100mg, 200mg, and 225mg), which he claimed were worth 19,520 euros.
“These arrests demonstrate our commitment to disrupting international drug networks and protecting Nigeria from being a transit point for illicit substances,” Babafemi stated.
