The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major cocaine trafficking syndicate led by a Nigerian couple.
Bolanle Dauda and his wife, Olayinka Dauda, were apprehended while attempting to cross the border into Ghana.
The operation, which spanned Lagos and Ogun states, resulted in the recovery of multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine and other illicit substances
The couple was arrested on Saturday, May 25, 2024, by NDLEA operatives from a special operation unit, with support from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
They were caught at Ibiye, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, as they attempted to deliver a large consignment of cocaine in Ghana.
Upon their arrest, NDLEA operatives found 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms on them.
A subsequent search of their residence at Plot 24/25 OPIC extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, uncovered an additional eight blocks of cocaine weighing 10 kilograms.
This brought the total amount of cocaine seized from the Daudas to 57.5 kilograms.
In another successful raid by the special operation unit, NDLEA agents seized a substantial quantity of lethal synthetic opioid, fentanyl.
The raid took place at the popular Idumota market on Lagos Island, leading to the arrest of two individuals. Ikeh Stanley Ifeanyi, 34, was found with 1,100 ampoules of fentanyl weighing 6.48 kilograms, while Chieze Ogechukwu Benjamin, 48, was caught with 790 ampoules weighing 5.273 kilograms.
Fentanyl, known for being 100 times more potent than heroin, has been a major contributor to the overdose crisis in the United States, responsible for over 70% of overdose deaths.
The presence of such a dangerous substance in Nigeria highlights the global nature of the drug trafficking problem.
In a different raid on Lagos Island, NDLEA officers arrested Olayiwola Aremu Kazeem, 37, and Ogunfowora Taofik Ajibola, 35, recovering 432 grams of methamphetamine from them.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted a container at Tincan port in Lagos, which had arrived from Canada.
The container, declared as containing three used vehicles, was found to have 15 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 7.5 kilograms, concealed within the doors and body crevices of a Toyota Highlander SUV.
Following this interception, two suspects, Sunday Sodade and Oriyomi Adesina, were arrested. A bribe of six million naira offered to NDLEA officers by the sender’s agent in Canada was also seized as evidence.
Reacting to these developments, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised the special operation unit’s resilience and efficiency in targeting and dismantling drug cartels.
He also commended the collaboration between NDLEA and its local and international partners, emphasizing the importance of continued offensive actions against drug trafficking networks.
“This is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing fight against drug trafficking.
The dedication and coordination of our officers, alongside our international partners, have proven crucial in these operations,” said Brig Gen Marwa.
“We will continue to target and dismantle these networks to safeguard our society.
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