NDLEA dismantles cocaine networks behind 6 UK-bound shipments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled two major cocaine cartels responsible for six separate attempts to smuggle the illicit substance to the United Kingdom, following a string of intelligence-driven operations carried out across Lagos over a three-week period.

According to a statement issued by the agency on Sunday, the operations led to the arrest of six suspects, including the alleged ringleader of the syndicate, Hammed Ode, who reportedly poses as a businessman and real estate developer.

The NDLEA revealed that the crackdown began on September 16, 2025, when operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms concealed inside containers of cocoa butter body cream.

“A cargo agent was promptly arrested. Further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Ode as the mastermind of the shipment and after weeks of intelligence, it was established that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the Agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody,” the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said.

During interrogation, Ode allegedly confessed to owning the consignment, which he claimed to have purchased for over ₦150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer who returned from the United Kingdom in 2024, after spending 27 years across several European countries including Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.

The agency further disclosed that five additional UK-bound cocaine shipments were foiled by its MMIA Strategic Command within the same period.

“The unravelling of the gang started on 26th September following the seizure of 2.10kg cocaine concealed in walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport,” Babafemi stated.

“The apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday 30th September at his 3 Arowojobe street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him. Same day, another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport. The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.

“Two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday 2nd October. Two suspects: Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa linked to the seizures were promptly arrested. One of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg cocaine while the second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.

“The bid by another criminal gang to smuggle into Lagos 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bedsheet and hibiscus flower from Thailand was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies, while a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a check point along Danbatta-Daura road, Kano, on Thursday 2nd October led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and seizure of 290, 450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.

“In Lagos, (alleged) notorious drug dealer John Igbe, operating under the nickname: SammyBless to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki and Ajah axis, was on Tuesday 30th September arrested at Admiralty road, Lekki. At the time of his arrest, 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups, were recovered from him. Three other suspects: Idris Lukman; Fuad Abdulsalam and Mobolaji James were nabbed same day in Mushin area of the state, with 109kg skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup and 2kg of nitrous oxide seized from them. At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were recovered,” the statement added.