The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled an international organized criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the UAE.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, said the operation followed a two-week intelligence-led exercise across Lagos, resulting in the arrest of three leaders of the cartel.
Babafemi revealed that the agency intercepted a large consignment of cocaine hidden in textile materials and local charms destined for Sydney, Australia, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
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“The unraveling of the drug syndicate began on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport export shed intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials.
“A search uncovered 16 blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms, hidden with charms to evade law enforcement,” he said.
The operation led to the arrest of Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, the first suspect, followed by Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke, who coordinated drug operations in Nigeria.
Ogunbiyi’s house in Lekki and a processing site in Ikeja GRA were raided, leading to the seizure of cannabis strains, firearms, and vehicles.
Babafemi also highlighted additional seizures across Nigeria, including 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup in Port Harcourt, cannabis in Abuja and Lagos, tramadol pills in Milan-bound luggage, and 18,750 kilograms of skunk destroyed in Taraba State.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended operatives nationwide for the successful raids and arrests and called for continued vigilance.
“I urge all commands to intensify our balanced approach to drug control across the country,” he said.
