Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major international organized crime group (IOCG) operating across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested three cartel leaders and intercepted a shipment of 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textile materials and charms, bound for Sydney, Australia.
The seizure, valued at AU$5.3 million (₦5.3 billion), was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke, both with serious criminal histories in the UK, including drug trafficking and murder.
Searches of their properties uncovered cannabis strains known as Canadian Loud and Colorado, weapons, and luxury vehicles.
Authorities also identified Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (“Mr. Bee”), currently hiding in Dubai, as the syndicate’s overseas coordinator.
The anti-narcotics agency also recorded successes in other coordinated actions across the country.
