NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Syndicates Behind Six UK-Bound Shipments

NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Syndicates Behind Six UK-Bound Shipments

Over a three-week span, intelligence-led operations in Lagos enabled the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to uncover and dismantle two significant cocaine cartels. These groups were behind six separate attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into the United Kingdom.

In a statement released by the agency on Sunday, it was reported that operations resulted in the arrest of six suspects. Among those apprehended is Hammed Ode, the alleged ringleader of the syndicate who reportedly masquerades as a businessman and real estate developer.

The NDLEA reported that the operation commenced on September 16, 2025, when officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja seized 174 parcels of cocaine hidden within containers of cocoa butter body cream. The total weight was found to be 13.40 kilograms.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, reported that a cargo agent was quickly arrested. Subsequent investigations identified Alhaji Hammed Ode as the brains behind the shipment. After weeks of gathering intelligence, it was found that this drug kingpin had lodged a complaint at Zone 2 police headquarters in Lagos. Following this development, the agency collaborated with law enforcement to apprehend him.

During the interrogation, Ode reportedly admitted to owning the shipment, stating he had bought it for more than ₦150 million. He identified himself as a businessman and real estate developer who came back from the United Kingdom in 2024 after living for 27 years in various European countries such as Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and also Saudi Arabia.

The agency also revealed that its MMIA Strategic Command had thwarted five more cocaine shipments bound for the UK during the same timeframe.

“The gang began to unravel on September 26th when authorities seized 2.10 kg of cocaine hidden within the walls of hair cream containers at Lagos airport’s export facility,” Babafemi reported.

The arrest of a cargo agent led authorities to detain Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday, September 30th. He was apprehended at his residence located at 3 Arowojobe Street in Mafoluku, Oshodi area of Lagos after the discovery of an additional shipment containing 1.40 kg of cocaine intended for export to the UK. On that same day, another package holding 1.00 kg of cocaine concealed similarly and also destined for the UK was intercepted at the airport’s export shed. The arrested cargo agent connected with this second consignment identified Smith David Korede as its sender too—bringing it to three seizure incidents associated with him so far.

On Thursday, October 2nd, NDLEA operatives intercepted two additional cocaine-laden consignments headed for the UK at the MMIA export shed. Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa were promptly arrested in connection with these seizures. One consignment included crayfish and concealed 1 kg of cocaine within 12 stainless steel cups. The other involved crayfish as well and used 36 containers of hair cream to hide a total of 1.6 kg of cocaine.

NDLEA operatives, working with several courier companies, successfully thwarted another criminal gang’s attempt to smuggle 6.3 kilograms of Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—into Lagos from Thailand. The drugs were hidden within bedsheets and hibiscus flowers. Additionally, a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a checkpoint along the Danbatta-Daura road in Kano on Thursday, October 2nd resulted in the arrest of Sa’adu Ali (38 years old) and the seizure of 290,450 pills consisting of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.

In Lagos, an alleged notorious drug dealer named John Igbe, known by the nickname SammyBless for distributing illicit drugs in the Lekki and Ajah areas, was arrested on Tuesday, September 30th at Admiralty Road in Lekki. During his arrest, authorities confiscated 550 grams of Colorado—a synthetic cannabis strain—packaged in retail plastic cups. On that same day in Mushin part of the state three other suspects: Idris Lukman Fuad Abdulsalam Mobolaji James were also apprehended with a haul consisting of109 kg skunk;20 bottles codeine syrup2kg nitrous oxide seized from themFurther significant seizure occurred Trade Fair Complex Alaba included3/700codeinesyrup&expired225mgdiclofenaccaplets returned” statement concluded