The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two major cocaine cartels responsible for six United Kingdom–bound drug consignments, arresting their ring leader, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, and five other suspects in a series of sting operations across Lagos.
The operations, which spanned three weeks, uncovered sophisticated concealment methods including stainless cups, body cream containers, and hair gel jars.
The breakthrough followed the interception of 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on September 16, 2025. The drugs were hidden in cocoa butter body cream jars.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the seizure led to the arrest of a cargo agent whose confession unmasked Ode as the mastermind.
“Ode was tracked after filing a complaint at Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Lagos. With the cooperation of the police, our operatives arrested him. In his initial interview, Ode admitted ownership of the drugs, which he said he bought for over N150 million.
He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer who returned from the UK in 2024 after living across Europe for 27 years,” Babafemi revealed.
Barely ten days later, operatives at MMIA intercepted 2.10kg of cocaine in hair cream containers, leading to the arrest of a cargo agent and, subsequently, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker.
A raid on his Mafoluku, Oshodi base uncovered another 1.40kg cocaine consignment, while a further 1kg shipment was seized at the airport the same day—all bound for the UK.
Two more seizures on October 2 linked to Korede’s network led to the arrest of Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa. Investigators found cocaine hidden in crayfish packages, stainless cups, and 36 jars of hair cream—amounting to 2.6kg of cocaine.
NDLEA also intercepted 3.27kg of Loud and Colorado along the Okene/Lokoja highway. A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of Tobi Odubote, 34, while Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was nabbed with 25.5kg of skunk on the Abaji–Abuja expressway.
Meanwhile, NDLEA formations nationwide intensified the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, taking sensitisation programmes to schools, markets, worship centres, and workplaces, including a lecture at Ladega Market, Ikorodu, and an advocacy visit to the Imo First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the operatives and warned drug syndicates of tougher days ahead.
“We will continue to target and dismantle every identified cartel—from the mules to the dealers and their leaders. Every seizure and arrest means innocent lives saved and communities protected both here and abroad,” Marwa said.
The agency vowed that with each bust, the walls are closing in on cartels that have long exploited Nigeria’s airports and highways as drug routes.
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